Patrick Henry Building, Art Deco library building in Richmond, US.
The Patrick Henry Building is an Art Deco structure in Richmond with steel construction clad in limestone and modern architectural features. Inscriptions honoring prominent Virginians appear at several entrances, reflecting the building's role as a significant civic structure.
Built between 1938 and 1940 through a New Deal program, it initially housed the Virginia State Library and Supreme Court. After major renovations in the early 2000s, it was repurposed as office space for state government functions.
A historical marker inside commemorates the Loving v. Virginia case, which led to the elimination of laws against interracial marriage. This marker makes an important moment in civil rights history visible to visitors.
The building is centrally located in downtown Richmond and easy to find. Since it functions primarily as government office space, visitors should check which areas are open to the public and when any tours or viewings may be available.
After its restoration in the early 2000s, the building was renamed after Patrick Henry, an 18th-century revolutionary who never worked there. This renaming marked a turning point as the structure shifted from serving the judiciary to housing executive functions.
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