1750 Courthouse

About Us

Information

The old courthouse, located at 130 Main Street in Smithfield, Virginia, was built between 1750-1751. The construction of the courthouse was believed to be modeled after the Capitol Building in Williamsburg, Virginia, and was used as the main courthouse for Isle of Wight for about 50 years. Around 1800 the court system was moved to a more central location, Isle of Wight, Virginia, its present location. Today, the 1750 Isle of Wight County Courthouse has been beautifully restored and is available for free tours and as a rental space.

Town of Smithfield

The 1750 Isle of Wight County Courthouse is located in historic downtown Smithfield, located in the Coastal Southeastern Tidewater Region of Virginia. Pictured above are the original 72 lots that were established in 1752 for the Town of Smithfield. The Courthouse is located on Lot # 8.

See map below to plan a trip and get directions to the courthouse.

What people are saying

"A time machine! An easy way to 'travel' to the past, just open its door!" - Doxakis

"Lots of history and when we visited the staff person stationed inside knew a lot of the history and easily answered all questions." - Michael

"This was a cool place to see. The volunteer that was there was so full of information and answered all my questions. Glad I stopped in." -Local Guide

Video

Behind These Walls

In colonial America, courthouses were the epicenter of local government and supported essential structures like clerk’s offices, taverns and inns. Courts met monthly, and court officials and litigants often traveled long distances. Issues handled by the court frequently included debt cases and disputes between residents.

History Preserved

During the Revolutionary War, Elizabeth Bennett Young risked everything to save her county’s records from destruction at the hands of the British. Her bravery preserved vital Isle of Wight history, which continues to tell the story of her and her neighbors 250 years later.

Community Support

Preserving our history in Isle of Wight and Smithfield is incredibly important to our community. Learn how Smithfield Va Events contributed to the preservation of the historic book at the 1750 Isle of Wight County Courthouse: “The Acts of the Assembly of the Colony of Virginia”.

1750 Isle of Wight County Courthouse