The architecture and history of Randolph and Barbour County courthouses have landed them among the list of 15 other counties to be featured in a documentary sponsored in part by the West Virginia Association of Counties.
"West Virginia's Historic Courthouses" will be a one-hour film discussing three themes that pertain to the seats of justice: the aspects of the historical development of government; a symbol of democracy, an architectural monument that inspires us and illuminates aspects of our history; and the courthouse as the historical center of community life and civic culture.
West Virginia Association of Counties Executive Director Patti Hamilton said she got the idea for the film after finding out Georgia had created a similar documentary. Production began during the summer and fall in order for film crews to capture footage of the courthouses while the seasonal foliage was still on the trees, Hamilton said. Film-makers will soon begin working on a script and conducting interviews about the featured courthouses.
The Randolph and Barbour courthouses were selected by Michael Workman, who will pen the script for the documentary, and Michael Gioulis, who specializes in historic preservation. Other county courthouses to be featured are Cabell, Doddridge, Fayette, Jefferson, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Marion, Marshall, McDowell, Mercer, Wirt, Wood and Wyoming.
Hamilton estimates that the documentary will be finished around the fall of 2010. Upon its completion, the film will be broadcast on PBS after a premiere at the West Virginia Cultural Center. The finished product will also be made available to libraries, schools and Convention and Visitors Bureaus for the cost of duplication. If extra funds become available, schools will be provided with the film at no charge.
After the Randolph County seat was moved from Beverly to Elkins in 1899, Uniontown, Pa., architect J. Charles Fulton designed a new Randolph County Courthouse, located along Randolph Avenue. The building was constructed between 1902 and 1907 in a Richardsonian Romanesque style using local sandstone.
The Barbour County Courthouse in Philippi was constructed between 1903 and 1905 also in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. Located in the center of downtown Philippi, the courthouse dominates the landscape and is recognized as the county's symbol of government. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Barbour County Commission President Phil Hart said there have been several enhancements made to the courthouse over the past few years. Some of the biggest upgrades include an elevator for handicap accessibility and renovations made to the courtroom, along with new steps on the front and back and new gutters, he said.
"It's certainly an honor to be selected for the documentary," Hart said. "It's good publicity. With Philippi being the county seat, the courthouse kind of serves as the flagship for the entire community. It's a beautiful structure and it's been there for a very long time. It's definitely serves as one of the major landmarks when people think of Barbour County."
Since the courthouse's dedication in 1903, 20 judges have presided in its courtroom. Barbour County Circuit Judge Alan D. Moats currently adjudicates from the bench.
During a recent interview, Moats said one of the most unique features is the exterior of the building, which is constructed of Hummelstown brownstone, a high-quality sandstone quarried near Hummelstown in Dauphin County, Pa. He also noted the "beautiful" stained glass dome of the courtroom, which was restored in 1999 after being covered for many years with a drop ceiling.
To mark the 100th anniversary, members of the West Virginia Supreme Court conducted a session in the courtroom in November 2003.
Hamilton said the cost of the documentary is approximately $70,000 and currently half of the money has been raised. Anyone who would like to make a contribution to film may call Hamilton at 304-346-2118.
