Historic Records Education Programs

About the Program

Category: Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

The Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Historic Records Division (“historic records team”) initiated a series of public education programs in 2016 which included public exhibitions in the Historic Old Courthouse in Loudoun County. In 2017, the historic records team expanded the program offerings in partnerships with other history groups and government agencies. The objective of these programs was to educate the citizens of Loudoun County and Northern Virginia regarding the unique character and value of the historic court records. Loudoun County has one of the most complete and diverse collections of historic court records in Virginia. Loudoun County is the only county in Virginia’s Northern Neck that possesses all court records since its formation in 1757. Another unique characteristic of Loudoun’s court records is the fact that out of 120 circuit court clerks’ office in Virginia, Loudoun is one of five offices statewide that have court records that have not been destroyed by fire, war or environmental factors. In an effort to share the unique character of this valuable collection, the historic records team produces and hosts public exhibitions several times per year. By partnering with the Town of Leesburg’s First Friday programs, we attract numerous visitors to our exhibitions. The program offerings in 2017, included a Black History Month display, a World War I presentation, a session offering information on preservation of court documents, and a maps/plats display. The documents, maps and other court records displayed in these programs are rare and are used to attract interest and encourage citizens to research Loudoun’s history contained in these records. The historic records team and volunteers interact with the visitors, provide information related to the relevance of the records and answer questions. Attendance at these programs continues to increase therefore expanding our outreach to educate more citizens on Loudoun’s unique history and rare collection of Virginia court records.