Why are the historic buildings on the Court Green in Eastville significant?   A quick look at the history of the Northampton County Historic Court Green.

A court green or courthouse square in the first settlements in America became the central location for all classes to hear and determine legal activities, transact business, and gather for news and social activities. They typically consisted of a courthouse, clerk’s office, and jail.

By 1634, the Virginia colony was divided into eight shires (including Accawmack) and each was required to hold monthly courts. Accawmack was renamed Northampton in 1642, and by 1663 was divided into two counties; the southern being Northampton and the northern being Accomack.

The Northampton Historic Preservation Society (NHPS) has commissioned local artist Albert K. "Buck" Doughty to sculpt a metal rendition of "Pear Valley," a colonial-era yeoman's cottage near Machipongo. "This sculpture exceeds my expectations," Mike Ash, NHPS's president, said. "Buck is known for his metal artistry, but I've never seen one quite like this. We are very pleased to offer this opportunity for someone to own it."

Buck was nicknamed "Man of Steel" in a 2019 Chesapeake Bay Magazine article written by Bill Sterling. Well known for his exquisite metal sculptures of wildlife, sea life, and marshland vegetation, Buck embraces a challenge. He visited Pear Valley before beginning this project and, with a craftsman's eye for detail, decided that the final form had to include the exposed attic joists which are a unique feature of this 1740 cottage. "It is an incredible house," Buck said. His appreciation of Pear Valley, a National Registered Landmark, shows in this unique sculpture.

Tickets ($10.00 each) for a spring drawing are on sale on this website (tickets will be mailed to you) and at Book Bin, Rayfield's Pharmacies, Lemon Tree Gallery. Check this website for news of when and where the drawing will be held. (You don't have to be present to win.) Proceeds go toward the preservation of the Court Green's 1907 Jail in Eastville. The sculpture's dimensions are 10x13x13 inches and 33 pounds. It can be seen at Lemon Tree Gallery in Cape Charles. Don't miss this opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind, Buck Doughty sculpture of a national, yet local, historic treasure! 

NHPS has designed special notecards featuring two of the historic buildings on Northampton's Historic Court Green in Eastville, Virginia. They are perfect for sending messages of thanks, greetings from your vacation, get well notes, or just to send a little hello. Eight folded notecards and envelopes are included in each package and shipping is included.

Order your package(s) with any credit card using the button below or a paper mail in form can be found HERE.

ABOUT THE 1907 JAIL

NHPS needs your help to restore the 1907 Jail for use as a museum about Northampton County jails and an information center for genealogy research. With the restoration of the 1907 Jail, the Northampton County Court Green is certain to be one of the most intact and restored court greens in the Country.

If you would like to contribute to restore the 1907 Jail for use as a museum, a donation button is available below.  The museum will feature the role jails played in county governance in Eastville, Virginia from Colonial times until today.

To place the restoration of the 1907 Jail in perspective, in 1913 the founder of NHPS saved the 1800 Clerk's Office, 1814 Debtors Prison, and the 1731 Courthouse from destruction. Think about what a significant historical loss that would have been.  This time it is our turn to save this 113-year old structure for future generations to understand the role jails played in Northampton County governance, in conjunction with the other remaining historical structures, for over 300 years.

Please help support Northampton County's preservation efforts!

Already a member? Consider volunteering for the various NHPS activities.

If you wish to learn more about the Northampton Historic Preservation Society before becoming a member, receive our emails about our programs and exhibits by sending your email address to the link below and indicating you would like to be added to our mailing list.