Northampton Historic Preservation Society

FALL 2024 CAPITAL GRANT: Completion of the Historic 1907 Jail Restoration
Grant Amount: $35,000
Reach: Local residents, heritage tourists, researchers, students, and Virginia250 visitors
Project: ESVCF funding supported Phase 3 of the restoration of the 1907 Jail in Eastville, the last surviving structure representing the evolution of American incarceration practices on the Northampton Court Green. This phase completed the remaining construction needed to open the museum in time for the Virginia250 commemoration, building on earlier work funded through The Cabell Foundation, NHPS donations, and extensive volunteer labor.
Impact: The 1907 Jail Museum opened to the public in June 2025 with a ribbon cutting and community celebration. Its main exhibit, “Stories from Northampton’s Jails,” shares powerful local histories from 1776, 1889, and 1922, while additional displays trace the long line of jails that stood on the Court Green since the 1600s. The museum also offers a dedicated research section guiding visitors to genealogical and archival resources held in the nearby Northampton Clerk’s Office. The restored building now serves as a significant educational and cultural asset for the region.
Why It Matters: Saving the 1907 Jail preserved an irreplaceable piece of Virginia’s legal and social history. This restoration strengthens the historic integrity of Eastville, supports tourism and Virginia250 programming, and ensures that the stories of those connected to Northampton’s jails are accessible to current and future generations.