Lynchburg Courthouse

Lynchburg Courthouse is a Greek Revival courthouse standing on Court House Hill with a three-bay Doric portico and a shallow dome featuring a small open belfry. The structure combines brick with stucco and a granite base, creating a solid and well-proportioned building.

The current building was constructed in 1855 by architect Andrew Ellison Jr., replacing the original courthouse from 1813. Its listing in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 recognized its importance to the region's architectural heritage.

The building now serves as the Lynchburg Museum, where visitors find exhibits about local history, military heritage, and regional art displayed throughout its rooms. These collections help people understand how the city and its residents developed over time.

The main entrance faces Monument Terrace, a series of steps with commemorative monuments leading down to Church Street. Visitors should prepare for climbing steps and plan time to explore the rooms inside.

The dome is supported by a ring of small Ionic columns holding up a hemispherical cap, an unusual structural choice for the period. This method of building with stucco over brick shows the craft and care taken in its construction.

Location: Virginia

Architectural style: Greek Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 37.41360,-79.14470

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:09