Lowndes County Courthouse, Valdosta, Georgia

Brooks County Courthouse, Quitman, Georgia

Decatur County Courthouse, Bainbridge, Georgia

Thomas County Courthouse, Thomasville, Georgia

MIDGEVILLE, GA — Georgia has one of America’s greatest collections of county courthouses with 132 listed in the National Register of Historic Places. An exhibit featuring the architectural and historical significance of these community landmarks, “Georgia’s Historic Courthouses: Celebrating a Living Legacy,” is on view through Aug. 8 at the Georgia College & State University Museum, located in Midgeville, Georgia.
The exhibit, located in the Museum’s Entrance Gallery, was developed by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. It allows visitors to explore the diversity of the architectural styles, ranging from Greek Revival to Gothic to the modern, and to learn of the historic significance these buildings played in the daily lives of the community’s citizens.
“We created this exhibit to call attention to Georgia’s unique collection of county courthouses because many of these
landmark buildings are endangered,” said Historic Preservation Division Director Ray Luce. “Courthouses are so central to a community’s quality of life and economic development that every effort should be made to ensure that they continue as an active part of their communities.”
The “Georgia’s Historic Courthouses: Celebrating a Living Legacy” project features photographs by Historic Preservation Division staff photographer James R. Lockhart and historic images and copies of records from the State Archives.
Enhancing this exhibition at the Georgia College Museum is a collection of antiques loaned to the Museum by the Old Governor’s Mansion.
The Museum is located at 221 N. Clarke St. Museum summer hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. For more information, call 478-435-4047, or visit the Museum on the web at library.gcsu.edu/museum For more information on the Georgia’s Historic Courthouses exhibit, contact Mary Ann Eaddy at 404-651-5283 or e-mail: Mary_Ann_Eaddy@dnr.state.ga.us
The Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources serves as Georgia’s state historic preservation office. Its mission is to promote the preservation and use of historic places for a better Georgia. Its programs include archaeology protection and education, environmental review, grants, historic resource surveys, tax incentives, the National Register of Historic Places, community planning and technical assistance. For more information, call (404) 656-2840 or visit their Web site at: www.gashpo.org

Although Georgia is the twentieth largest state, it is second in number of courthouses — exceeded only by Texas.
One hundred thirty-two Georgia courthouses are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The buildings range from Greek Revival to International Style, illustrating nearly 170 years of Georgia history.
Georgia has one of Americas greatest collections of county courthouses, but many of these landmark buildings are endangered.
Visit the Georgia college & State University Museum to see the exhibit “Georgia’s Historic Courthouses: Celebrating a Living Legacy.” The event runs through August 8.

For more information about Georgia's courthouses visit this website