The Queens County Court House

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Museums Historical Sites
courthouse-gagetown
Contact Information
16 Court House, Gagetown, New Brunswick E5M 1A1, Canada
https://www.queenscountyheritage.com/...
Location
16 Court House, Gagetown, New Brunswick E5M 1A1, Canada
Detailed Information

The Queens County Court House

A Provincial Historic Site Dating Back to 1836

Among the oldest surviving court houses in New Brunswick, the Queens County Court House stands as a testament to history, having been built in 1836. Referred to as a “new Court House, a neat and well-finished building,” it officially opened its doors in January 1838.

Historical records highlight a wide array of court cases that were heard here, ranging from serious crimes like arson, assault, and murder, to more everyday issues such as unpaid debts, theft of livestock, and even the use of profanity in public. In addition to its role as a legal center, the Court House was a meeting place for County Justices of the Peace and later County Councillors, who oversaw local governance.

The Court House ceased operations in the mid-1960s, and court cases were transferred to Burton, New Brunswick. For two decades, the building sat vacant, until the Queens County Historical Society undertook an extensive restoration project, which was successfully completed in 1994. Today, the Court House hosts a variety of cultural events and exhibitions throughout the year.