KENOSHA, Wis. – Tucked behind dust-covered scaffolding and protective plastic sheeting, craftsmen are peeling back the past in Kenosha’s century-old Courthouse. The building’s grandest space—the Ceremonial Courtroom—is undergoing a meticulous historic restoration, revealing architectural gems hidden from public view for more than half a century.
Once adorned with an inlaid glass skylight and intricate ornamental plasterwork, the room was largely concealed in the 1960s when a drop ceiling was added to accommodate central air conditioning. That ceiling—along with decades of neglect—is being removed, exposing a long-forgotten frieze encircling the room bearing the words of Abraham Lincoln: “Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well-wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others.”
The restoration marks a crowning achievement in a years-long effort spearheaded by a Blue Ribbon Committee established by former County Executive Jim Kreuser and sustained under current Executive Samantha Kerkman. The project was made possible by a $675,000 matching grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation, which supports historic preservation across the Midwest. In response, the local community raised over $1.5 million in private donations. An additional $100,000 was awarded by the TAWANI Foundation.
“We’re grateful for the generous support we received from the Jeffris Family Foundation, the TAWANI Foundation, and the community at large,” said Kerkman. “And we’re excited to preserve a historic gem in our beautiful Courthouse.”
The restoration began in May and is expected to conclude in mid-2026, coinciding with the Courthouse’s 100th anniversary celebration this August. Once complete, the restored courtroom will serve as a centerpiece of civic pride, ceremony, and history—blending turn-of-the-century elegance with modern functionality.
Pike River Revival Enters Final Phase
Elsewhere in the county, another preservation effort is taking shape outdoors. The third and final phase of the Pike River restoration within Petrifying Springs Park began earlier this spring and will continue through the year.
The project aims to stabilize streambanks, improve water quality, and expand biodiversity through native plantings. The latest phase includes targeted efforts to support the endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee and migratory species like bluebirds.
Infrastructure improvements are also part of the plan: the playground in Area 3 will be relocated out of the floodplain, and a new pedestrian bridge compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act will be installed.
“This has been an incredibly impactful project for Petrifying Springs Park,” said Parks Director Wyatt Moore. “The completion of this section of the river marks a major milestone in a restoration effort that has been underway since 2017.”
Funding for the river restoration includes a $700,000 grant from the U.S. EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, as well as support from the Wisconsin DNR, Sustain Our Great Lakes, and the Fund for Lake Michigan.
Road Repairs and Upgrades in Full Swing
Across Kenosha County, construction crews are also hard at work resurfacing roads and repairing bridges. Among the most visible projects is the resurfacing of Highway C between highways 45 and 83 in Bristol and Salem Lakes, which began July 9. Under a revised schedule, the road will be closed to through traffic from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. It remains open nights and weekends.
Other roadwork completed so far in 2025 includes:
- Rehabilitation of the Highway A bridge over the Pike River in Somers.
- Resurfacing of Highway P in Wheatland and Highway V in Salem Lakes.
- Drainage and trail improvements along Highway C in Bristol.
Future projects include replacement of the Highway WG bridge over the Dutch Gap Canal and additional resurfacing throughout the county.
Human Services Hub Taking Shape
Finally, the county’s largest construction project—the new Human Services Building—is progressing at the former Sun Plaza shopping center on 52nd Street. The 147,000-square-foot complex will consolidate critical services currently housed in the aging Job Center on Sheridan Road, which is slated for private redevelopment through a partnership with Bear Development.
The building will blend fully renovated retail space with a newly constructed two-story wing and is expected to open by mid-2026.
From courtrooms to riverbanks to roadways, the summer of 2025 is shaping up to be one of transformation in Kenosha County—restoring the past while building for the future.
