The Dauphin County Commissioners, in cooperation with Historic Harrisburg Association, are offering a guided walking tour of the spectacular interiors and the stately surroundings of the Dauphin County Courthouse in downtown Harrisburg.
The public is invited to join architectural historian and raconteur David Morrison of Historic Harrisburg on this rare exploration of the interior and exterior features of the ornate Art Moderne-style courthouse.
Designed by Harrisburg’s premier architectural firm, Lawrie and Green, and built in 1943, this elegant marble landmark at Front and Market Streets creates a stately gateway to downtown Harrisburg from the West Shore. Its richly paneled courtrooms, row offices, lawyers’ lounge and judges’ chambers are a marvel of mid-century engineering and craftsmanship. In addition, the ingenious floorplans and stairway systems that separate courtroom defendants from the public, provide levels of security and privacy that are decades ahead of their time. Carvings, sculptures and famous quotations add to the educational impressiveness of visiting this center of county life.
This tour celebrates this year’s observance of the 230th anniversary of the Dauphin County court system established in May, 1785, when Dauphin County was created by the partitioning of the older and larger Lancaster County. The anniversary observance includes a number of public and private events throughout 2015.
Attendees should meet on the courthouse steps, 101 Market Street. The cost of the program is free but we ask those who want to attend to register in advance.