The Brentsville Courthouse was built  in 1822 and served as the Prince William County Courthouse until 1894 when it was moved to Manassas where it remains today.  Brentsville was the fourth county courthouse - the first was in Woodbridge, the second in Cedar Run and the third in Dumfries.  Brentsville was chosen for two reasons

• The population was moving west
• It was in the geographic center of Prince William County

It served as the county courthouse  during the Civil War, but after the seat of county government moved to Manassas the Brentsville site saw duty as

• The village school
• Community Center
• Brentsville District polling place
• Prince William County Park Authority Headquarters

The Prince William County Historical Preservation Division maintains the 25 acre site.  The grounds are open daily during daylight hours and the courthouse is open on weekends.  There is a self guided tour and a nature trail that winds down to the waters of Broad Run.

I am in one of the pictures walking back from a visit to the execution site.  The scaffold was erected and dissembled after each of the 13 executions carried out there.  Also, the courthouse is cooled geothermally.  There are eight 300 foot wells where the water remains at a constant 55 degrees all year long.  The water is the coolant in the system to air condition the building in the summer months.

Also see RIPPON LODGE for an even older Prince William County treasure.  This is one of the numerous reports I prepare  featuring historic Prince William County sites that provide informative educational information in addition to being pleasant, inexpensive day trips.