The Hunterdon County Historic Courthouse is newly restored and local leaders recently highlighting its importance to the community and its role in continuing to serve public needs.
On July 2, Hunterdon County Commissioners, along with local officials and community members, celebrated the completion of the courthouse’s two-phase restoration project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The renovation, which encompassed extensive work to both the interior and exterior, cost over $4 million. However, a substantial part of the funding—$1,497,000—was covered by a grant from the Preserve New Jersey Preservation Fund.
Hunterdon County Commissioner Director Jeff Kuhl showed his pride in the restoration efforts last week at News 12 New Jersey interviewed him for an upcoming story.
“This Historic Courthouse is an important part of Flemington Borough and the county’s history. Following its recent restoration, the courthouse has been repurposed to meet contemporary needs, hosting events such as a senior artwork exhibit and the upcoming Lindbergh Lecture series. We are proud to be home to the oldest surviving county courthouse in New Jersey, and our Board hopes that the recent preservation efforts will serve as a catalyst combined with the pending Courthouse Square project for the revitalization of Flemington’s downtown,” he said.
Constructed in 1828, the Hunterdon County Historic Courthouse holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving county courthouse in New Jersey.
The courthouse was famously the site of the Lindbergh Kidnapping trial in 1935. The proceeding is often referred to as the “Trial of the Century.”
The trial, which concluded with the conviction of Bruno Hauptmann for the kidnapping and murder of aviator Charles Lindbergh’s son, garnered national attention and marked Flemington Borough as a historical landmark.
County Sheriff Fred Brown shared with the TV station details about the courthouse’s storied past and its role in the infamous trial.
“The Lindbergh Trial put Flemington on the map and this courthouse became the focal point of national attention. We may never know the truth behind this famous kidnapping, but speculation and theories about it have generated a history that has an enduring legacy for our community,” Brown said.
The courthouse’s restoration, according to county officials, is expected to act as a catalyst for the revitalization of Flemington’s downtown area, which is also seeing construction on the Courthouse Square mixed-use project.
For those interested in a guided tour of the Historic Courthouse, contact the sheriff at fbrown@co.hunterdon.nj.us or call 908-788-1166. For details on the Lindbergh Lecture Series, reach out to Hunterdon County Director for Culture and Heritage, Natalie Zaman, at nzaman@co.hunterdon.nj.us.
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