Northampton County Courthouse Marks 150 Years

If you drive by the main entrance of the , you might not think it's that old.

But the building itself actually dates back 150 years, a fact the county will celebrate with a series of events next week.

On Monday, Dec. 5, county officials will hold a ceremony a number of speakers, including County Executive John Stoffa, Judge Stephen Baratta, Councilman Mike Dowd, Controller and courthouse historian Stephen Barron, local Civil War expert Dick Jacoby, and Barbara Kowitz, executive director of the county Historical and Geneological Society.

The program -- which begins at 10 a.m. in he courthouse rotunda -- will conclude with a ceremonial ringing of the county "Liberty Bell."

Throughtout the week, the county encourages residents to take self-guided tours of the courthouse's artifacts, which include the bell, and murals depicting the reading of the in 1776 and the signing of the Treaty of Easton in 1758.

Groups can arrange tours through the county's Department of Administration by calling 610-559-3194.

And on Friday, Dec. 9, the week will conclude with a number of programs in Courtroom One, including presentations on life in the county during the Civil War, a debate about issues during that time, and a "tour" of the portraits of the president judges lining the courtroom.

For more information, call Tom Harp a 610-428-1427, or e-mail tharp@northamptoncounty.org.