nnpdc home > projects > 1844 northumberland jail restoration
 

1844 Northumberland Jail Restoration

SUMMARY

Assistance to the Northumberland County Historical Society to find funding opportunities to restore the Northumberland County Jail, built in 1844, to be used as a visitor and information center.

 

ACTIVITY

2008-11-13

The Northumberland County Board of Supervisors formally adopted a resolution supporting the grant application for the restoration of the Old Jail. VDOT's Transportation Enhancement Program has accepted the grant application and informed the PDC that a decision on it will be announced in March of 2009.

2008-10-30

The PDC submitted the grant application to VDOT's Transportation Enhancement Program in Richmond. The proposed budget for the restoration of the Old Jail is $100,000. The grant application requests 80% of that amount, with the other 20% being provided as a match by the Northumberland County Historical Society through its own fundraising efforts. The grant application received several letters of support. Among them: Senator Richard Stuart's and Delegate Albert Pollard's.

2008-10-16

The PDC is finalizing a grant application to request funds from VDOT's Enhancement Program to complete the restoration of the Old Jail. The application is due on 11/1/2008. In the meantime, lead-paint abatement and removal work at the building is almost finished.

2008-08-08

The PDC met with Jane Towner, member of Northumberland County Historical Society, to visit the old jail (built in 1844) and go over the details of what's needed to renovate the structure.

A structural engineer has done a study and declared the building solid and worthy of renovation.

A lead-paint evaluation has also been performed.

Although the Society has raised funds from private donors, Northumberland County, and Eastern Virginia Bankshares, a grant will be required to cover all the renovation costs. Take a virtual tour:

here

The Society's goal for the renovated building: To be an Information Center running under their ERA (Education, Rehabilitation, and Activities) Program, open on Saturdays for self-tours. The building will house exhibits related to the history of the jail and of Heathsville's Courthouse Square.