The Fairfax County CourthouseNetherton, Ross De Witt
History
The Fairfax County Courthouse
Netherton, Ross De Witt
Courthouses -- Virginia -- Fairfax County -- History; Law -- Virginia -- Fairfax County -- History
_Balcony._ The courtroom balcony contains three rows of wooden benches
similar to those on the ground floor, except that they are straight
instead of curved. The rows are arranged so the two rear benches are
on daises raised 9 inches above the one in front. Solid-panelled
free-standing wainscotting is set along the back of the rearmost
bench. The first two rows of benches are 17 feet 7-3/4 inches long,
while the rear bench is 22 feet long, allowing space at each end for
the steps of the raised dais.
In front of these benches, across the full width of the balcony
between the two staircases, is a railing of plain white spokes
(matching the balusters of the staircase) and a plain cherry handrail
2 feet 11 inches in height.
The ceiling of the balcony is painted flat white and the walls are
mauve. White beaded board wainscotting standing 3 inches high is
around the sides and rear wall of the balcony similar to that on the
ground level. Three recessed lights provide light for the balcony.
_Jury Room._ At the rear of the balcony an aisle 3 feet wide runs the
full width of the building, allowing passage behind the rows of
balcony benches and access to the jury room through doors near each
end of the aisle. The jury room uses the space above the first-floor
portico, an area 12 x 19 feet. The doors to the room are 2 feet 10
inches by 6 feet 10 inches, with 4 panels. Doors and frames are
painted white, with brass doorknobs and modern locks set in the doors.
The wall between the jury room and balcony is a new stud partition
which is finished with white plaster, as is the ceiling. Lighting is
provided by 3 recessed lights set in the ceiling and equally spaced.
The walls of the room have a 3-inch baseboard, but no wainscotting.
Centered in the exterior (east) wall of the room is a fireplace,
reopened in the 1967 reconstruction. This fireplace measures 4 feet
6-1/2 inches by 4 feet 7-3/4 inches, and is framed with a plain white
architrave and mantel. A hearth of brick extends 18 inches out from
the fireplace. Opposite the fireplace is a 12 by 18 inch plastered
masonry pier extended up from the exterior wall at the rear of the
portico on the first floor below. In the ceiling next to the pier is
located a 30 by 36 inch opening into the attic, with a ladder built
into the partition wall immediately below.
_Bench, Bar and Jury Box._ Across the front of the courtroom is a
railing separating the judges bench, jury box, and space for counsel
tables from the central section of the courtroom. This railing,
similar to those of the staircases and balcony, stands 2 feet 8-1/2
inches high. Gates 3 feet wide and mounted on double spring hinges are
placed in the railing at the head of each side aisle in the central
section. Each gate has an S-curve wooden support built into it for
added support.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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