The Shiretown Blogger visits the Old Carleton County Court House in Upper Woodstock

Old Carleton County Court House July 29, 2011

On July 29, 2011, the Shiretown Blogger drove up to Upper Woodstock to visit the Old Carleton
County Court House, following his visit to the hat exhibit at Connell House. The tour was guided by
Sam Wilson and Emma, both summer students employed with the Carleton County Historical Society.
Both guides made the tour very informative and interesting.

The Old Court House was constructed in 1833, and expanded in 1866. It was the seat of the first
county council in New Brunswick, as well as a site for trials, political rallies, and agricultural fairs, and
was also a stagecoach stop. Around 1909, the present-day court house was built and the Old Court
House was sold at an auction to a local farmer. It would be used as a horse barn for the next half
century. Many crucial structural components were removed to accommodate forks and hay mows as
well as horses. This would weaken the entire structure.

In November of 1960, the newly-formed Carleton County Historical Society purchased the Old
Court House in a very derelict state, and began a restoration project that would last for 26 years. This
remarkable project would see a painstaking, but faithful restoration of the Old Court House to its
original grandeur. In June of 1986, Her Royal Highness Princess Anne officially opened the Old
Carleton County Court House.

This photo, taken by the late Mac King, shows Princess Anne officially opening the Old Carleton County Court House on June 25, 1986, while Carleton County Historical Society co-founder Ken Homer looks on.

A display case at the Old Court House shows items from when Princess Anne opened the court house in 1986.

Today, the court house is the site of many weddings, parties, and an
annual Victorian Christmas fundraising concert.

The lawyer's room.

A part of the original judge's bench. Horses snacked on it during the period in which the building was used as a horse barn. 

 

The chairs in the courtroom are originals. They had been moved to the present-day court house around 1909, only to be relocated back to the Old County Court House during restoration.

Coat of arms painted by John Lee.

 

The judges' bench and judges' chair.

The prisoners' box.

Nathan DeLong (The Shiretown Blogger) sits in the prisoners' box.

Tour guide Sam Wilson inside the judges' chamber.

Judges' bench.

Information and photos of George Gee, the first man to be hung in Woodstock.

Photos on display of the public gallery and railings.

Looking down from the public gallery.

The public gallery.

The door to the prisoners' room.

The prisoners' room.

Nathan DeLong (The Shiretown Blogger) peeks through the door to the prisoners' room.

19th century uniforms.

The staircase.