Northampton Historic Preservation Society

Through the last 300 years on the Northampton Historic Court Green in Eastville, some courthouses and clerk’s offices were removed and some still stand, but rarely have the many jails once seen on the green survived for any extended period.

When the Historic Society realized that the 1914 Jail was to be torn down, Dr. Carl Lounsbury, architectural historian and expert on historic Virginia court greens, was asked to make recommendations on how to retain its history if the jail could not be saved.  He suggested creating a video, and although the 1914 jail is a primary focus for “The Last Jail on the Northampton Court Green,” the documentary also recognizes earlier jails on the Court Green now lost to history.

The video begins with a time when jails were just a holding place for court trials and immediate punishment.  Dr. Lounsbury explains the progression of jail methods of construction, types of prisoners, and the treatment of prisoners. Eastville Mayor James Sturgis provides an overview of the economic growth that funded the construction of a cutting edge, early 20th century jail in a rural and isolated Eastern Shore. Transforming attitudes toward incarceration led to better prisoner treatment and healthier conditions. Smaller cells, areas to congregate, and modern utilities were included in the 1914 Jail.   Twentieth century manufacturing techniques improved security. 

Follow County enforcement officers and leadership as they provide a tour of the 1914 Jail and discuss how it functioned.  The new and improved ideas for the treatment of prisoners introduced in the 1914 Jail served the county for close to 100 years. It was the last jail built on the historic Northampton County Court Green. 

This program is free to the public and was made possible with the generous support of Virginia Humanities.

Parking for the Cape Charles Palace Theatre:  Parking is available on the street and side streets near 305 Mason Avenue, Cape Charles.  There is new off-street parking available that is also close to the Theatre.  It can be reached by following the Parking Signs and the one-way entrance is across the street from the Cape Charles Library and Brown Dog Ice Cream.  This parking lot runs behind the new brick buildings on Mason Avenue. 

The Northampton Historical Preservation Society announces the award of a $3,000 grant to produce and deliver a documentary video to recognize the historical role of the recently demolished 1914 Jail and other Northampton County jails that stood on the Eastville Court Green. Once the video is complete, it will be shown in a public “premiere” screening and discussion forum. The Historical Society is pleased to acknowledge that this video was made possible with the generous support of Virginia Humanities.

Town historian and NHPS board member David Scott led the Northampton Historic Preservation Society’s Guided Walking Tour of Historic Eastville this year. In addition to a general informative overview of Eastville, he offered a new segment covering more houses on Willow Oak Road this year. The walking tour started at the Court Green, one of the oldest in Virginia, where you can imagine how it looked at various times during its 300+ year history.

The Essay Contest has been extended to the fall of 2019.

Click on the green button above to learn about the first NHPS essay contest for young historians

on the Eastern Shore.  NHPS continues to foster an interest in historic preservation for students on the Shore.  

In late October, Dr. Garrison “Doc” Brown was awarded the Council of Virginia Archaeologists “Virginia Sherman Award” for his significant contributions both above and below ground to historic preservation in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  “Doc” was nominated for this award because of his above and beyond efforts in supporting historic preservation.   

In receiving this award, Brown’s active membership in the Northampton, Virginia Historic Preservation Society and role as caretaker of Pear Valley, an 18th century yeoman’s cottage which is significantly unique to this region was highlighted. His nomination specifically recognized his involvement in the current excavations at Newport House/Eyreville where a second/third quarter 17th century dwelling was discovered. 

Last winter, Dr. Brown identified the research value of the site when a Northampton county land owner removed a tree stump which in turn lead to a recovery of a casting counter, Irish farthings and yellow Dutch bricks. He immediately notified the DHR and the site remains under study to this day. His quick and thoughtful action will uncover many precious artifacts to tell our regions history.

Great day in Accomack and Onancock.  Enjoyed a visit to the Saint James Episcopal Church in Accomac with tour guide Drummond Ayres.  Followed by a tour of the Accomac Historic District - significant for its well preserved architecture and rich history as a government center for over 300 years.

NHPS Guided Walking Tour of Historic Eastville - June  2017

On June 25th, in the 2nd year of the well-received NHPS Guided Walking Tour of Historic Eastville, town historian and NHPS board member David Scott continued to add new material to his informative presentation.  In addition, new research pertaining to the "forgotten" history of the Eastville Court Green jails during the 1800’s and 1900’s, was featured in a presentation by Joyce Kappeler.

Looking  at the Court Green, one of the oldest in Virginia,  you can imagine how it looked at various times during its 300+ year history. Eastville features commercial and residential architecture within the historic district which showcases a significant collection of high-style and vernacular buildings. Picture Eastville as the bustling city it was while in the midst of an economic, agricultural, and transportation boon and Courthouse Road was a major thoroughfare in the county. In fact, did you know that by 1921, Northampton and Accomack were considered the richest agricultural counties in the United States?

Since the discovery of the original James Fort walls by Dr. William Kelso  in 1995 Historic Jamestowne has attracted world attention by continuing to unearth the lost remains of America's first permanent English settlement.  Last year, Archaeology magazine once again named them for one of the Top Ten discoveries of 2015 for their landmark excavation efforts and identification of four early burials. In 2016, they began focusing on the excavation of the historic church of 1617 where the first elected assembly met in a landmark step toward the founding of the United States. On Tuesday, October 11, 2016 the Northampton Historic Preservation Society visited the recently excavated site of the oldest successful settlement in the New World.

The morning included a guided tour by Joe Burkart with the Tidewater Virginia Historical Society and remarks from Dr. Kelso, now the Director of Jamestowne Rediscovery, about his remarkable path to unearthing the south palisade of the original fort. An exclusive guided tour of the 7500 square foot  Archaearium, which houses over 4,000 artifacts, was also included. The building itself was carefully placed over the original site of the Jamestown Statehouse and the 17th-century structural features are visible through glass sections in the floor.

Following lunch, the group headed to Colonial Williamsburg to visit two connected museums, the first being the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum.  A guide was on hand to help navigate and answer questions regarding the special exhibit: "We Are One: Mapping America's Road from Revolution to Independence.  On loan from the Boston Public Library this 90 map exhibit traces America?s story from the French and Indian War all the way to the creation of our great nation.  At the second, the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, a guide interpreted the "American Ship Paintings" exhibit. In the mid-19th century, ship captains and owners commissioned artists to depict their sea-going vessels in all their glory.