The Old Jail at Spotsylvania Courthouse is an important landmark in county history.
Built in 1855, it was used for incarceration until 1943 and condemned
in 1948.
The Spotsylvania Preservation Foundation has acquired a lease on the
Old Jail for the purpose of restoration and adaptive reuse. This project
will be accomplished in three phases:
Phase 1. Architectural Review and Condition Survey (completed)
This phase began with a review of existing conditions, concentrating on issues of
structural integrity and water protection. Analysis focused on determining the
root cause of deterioration, damage and failure. Findings were documented on
existing drawings and in a report. Problems were prioritized according to
their threat to the building.
Phase 2. Restoration and Adaptive Reuse Planning
This phase will include maintenance and conservation measures necessary to
stabilize the jail's condition. A design and fabrication plan will be developed
for the building's missing features, such as the iron bars, doors and sashes. An
initial design for the jail's adaptive reuse will be prepared which will include
upstairs offices and downstairs museum and interpretive areas.
Phase 3. Construction and Implementation
A cost budget will be developed for each stage of proposed construction work.
Construction schedules will be established in line with projected funding.
Qualified firms with historic preservation experience will be selected to
perform the work. Upon completion the jail will house a museum featuring its
role in Spotsylvania County history. An interpretive program will be developed
through research, object acquisition, systematic exhibit design and funding.
Benefits of this project will include the attraction of visitors to the courthouse area,
opportunities for education in political, social, and architectural history, and an improved
understanding and appreciation of Spotsylvania's heritage.
To complete Phase 1, SPFI contracted with Richmond architect and
architectural historian Joseph Dye Lahendro (1) to provide initial architectural
services on the Old Jail. The first step was to review and document existing
conditions and produce a condition survey. Concentrating on issues of
structural integrity and water protection, Mr. Lahendro analyzed problems
to determine the root cause of deterioration, damage and failure. He
documented his findings on existing drawings and in a report and prioritized them
according to the seriousness of threat to the building. He performed limited
removal of finishes to investigate physical evidence of the building’s
construction history. He prepared an initial design for the jail’s adaptive
reuse incorporating repair work. Mr. Lahendro will coordinate with an
independent contractor selected by SPFI to obtain a construction cost budget for
proposed new work. Work phases
for the project will be established that respond to projected funding.
Pete and Lois Wilson have compiled an excellent history of
Spotsylvania’s jails. The report is
available at the local libraries.
Excerpts from the report:
“In March of
1855 the jail was nearly complete, and an announcement published in the Virginia Herald hints at the county
commissioners' satisfaction in having delivered a top-notch public facility for
the administration of justice in the county.
‘The County jail is now nearly completed, and ready for the reception of
gentleman borders! The walls are over
two feet in thickness, and the stronger chambers lined with three-inch oak
plank. Persons taking quarters will be
able to resist all attacks of burglars, and as far as robbers are concerned,
may enjoy their slumbers in all the sweetness of a perfect tranquillity of
mind. It was erected by Mr. Joseph
Sanford, as principal contractor, and cost about $3,000.00.’ (Virginia Herald, March 8, 1855)
“In 1943 Judge Leon M. Bazile ordered the jail closed on the
recommendation and request of the State Commissioner of Corrections. ‘The County Jail is a fire menace. It is ordered that the jail of the City Of
Fredericksburg is designated as the jail for Spotsylvania County so long as the
jail remains in its present dangerous condition.’”
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Even though the restoration process is in the initial
stages, SPFI will welcome visitors by appointment. Call Bob Kurtinitis
at 582-8016 to arrange a time.
(1) Mr. Lahendro received his BA in Architecture from Virginia
Tech and his Masters of Architectural History from the University of Virginia.
He is the recipient of numerous awards for preservation projects across the
Commonwealth and is a frequent lecturer on preservation topics. He is presently working on the Fielding
Lewis Store in Fredericksburg and on projects in Richmond.
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