In celebration of the 200th birthday of the Historic Henry County Courthouse and October as Local History Month in Virginia, the Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society will sponsor “If the Courthouse Could Talk” on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., at the Historic Henry Courthouse as part of its Sunday Afternoon Lecture Series.

Speakers will include:
• Honorable Bob Bushnell, retired Judge, 21st District Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court, and former Henry County Commonwealth’s Attorney;
• Honorable Roscoe Reynolds, former Henry County Commonwealth’s Attorney, former Virginia State Senator, and former Virginia Delegate;
• Honorable Bill Stone, retired Chief Judge, Western District of Virginia Bankruptcy Court;
• Holly Kozelsky, Executive Director, Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society; and
• Davis Scott, Board of Directors, Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society.

Attendees are encouraged to bring photographs, artifacts, and mementos of the old courthouse. There will also be time during the presentation for attendees to share stories and memories.

Plantation owner George Hairston and James Anthony donated the land to build the courthouse. The first building was constructed out of hewn logs but was torn down and replaced with a two-story brick building in 1824. In 1929 the courthouse was expanded by encasing the 1824 courthouse inside a larger building, keeping the original portico columns. The 1824 bricks can be seen in the central rooms of the first floor. The roof was extended over the portico, and stairs to the courtroom were constructed inside. Four two-story wings were added to the building.

Admission to the lecture is free, made possible by corporate sponsors, Carter Bank & Trust and The Lester Group. The Historic Henry County Courthouse is fully handicapped accessible. The Martinsville-Henry County Heritage Museum will be open following the presentation.