KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha County will open the doors of its newly restored Ceremonial Courtroom to the public Sunday, Oct. 4, offering residents a chance to see the historic space following a major restoration project completed this summer.
The free open house will run from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Kenosha County Courthouse and is being held in conjunction with the Kenosha Community Foundation’s 100th anniversary celebration. At 1:30 p.m., visitors will also be treated to a performance of “Lovers of Liberty,” an original musical composition created specifically to tell the story of the courtroom.
“The restored courtroom is a breathtaking space that we’re excited to share with the public,” a County Spokesperson said. “It’s a project that would not have happened without the support of the community, and we’re pleased to showcase it at this open house.”
Historic Courtroom Restored To 1925 Appearance
The renovation began in 2025 and restored the massive two-story courtroom to its original 1925 appearance. Workers removed a dropped ceiling that had concealed much of the room since the 1960s, uncovering a large leaded-glass skylight and decorative architectural features.
The project was supported by a $675,000 matching grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation and more than $1.5 million in matching contributions from community members, businesses and foundations. A three-and-a-half-year fundraising campaign was led by a Blue Ribbon Committee co-chaired by retired Judge Mary Kay Wagner and former County Executive John Collins.
The restoration also added modern audiovisual equipment and mechanical systems. The courtroom will continue serving as the working courtroom for Judge Chad Kerkman’s Branch 8 while also being available for weddings, adoptions and other ceremonial proceedings.
One of the room’s restored features is a frieze containing an Abraham Lincoln quotation about liberty and respect for the law. That quotation inspired the title “Lovers of Liberty,” which will be performed by the Prairie String Quartet and the Courthouse Orchestra. The group includes musicians from throughout the Kenosha community, including Kenosha Unified School District students.
The Kenosha Community Foundation served as fiscal sponsor for the restoration fundraising effort. Executive Director Amy Greil said the organization was proud of the community-wide effort that brought the project to completion and made the historic courtroom available for future generations.
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