Hanover Courthouse, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Hanover Courthouse is a census-designated place
(CDP) in and the county seat
of Hanover County
, Virginia
, United States
. Hanover Courthouse is located at the junction of U.S. Route 301 and State Route 54
south of the Pamunkey River
. While historically and technically known as Hanover Courthouse, the Census Bureau and the community's post office
and residents refer to it as Hanover. The population as of the 2010 Census
was 252.
Its most notable structure is the Hanover County Courthouse
, designated a National Historic Landmark
. The attorney Patrick Henry
practiced law here and argued the Parson's Cause
. It is within the Hanover County Courthouse Historic District, which includes the Hanover Tavern
. Rebuilt in 1791 on the site of a Revolutionary-era tavern, the tavern was adapted in 1953 as the Barksdale Theatre
, Central Virginia's leading professional theatre, and the nation's first dinner theatre. Barksdale was Virginia’s first performing arts organization to seat integrated audiences.
The Hanover County Courthouse is an operating courthouse. Located along historic U.S. Route 301
, it is across from the green from the Hanover Tavern. The courthouse is the third oldest courthouse still in use in the United States. Some local historians cited the courthouse as built in 1735, but the state historical society notes it was built between 1737 and 1742.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in and the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Hanover County
Hanover County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 86,320 people, 31,121 households, and 24,461 families residing in the county. The population density was 183 people per square mile . There were 32,196 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Hanover Courthouse is located at the junction of U.S. Route 301 and State Route 54
Virginia State Route 54
Virginia State Route 54 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. Known for most of its length as Patrick Henry Road, the state highway runs from U.S. Route 33 in Montpelier east to US 301 and SR 2 in Hanover Courthouse...
south of the Pamunkey River
Pamunkey River
The Pamunkey River is a tributary of the York River, about long, in eastern Virginia in the United States. Via the York River it is part of the watershed of Chesapeake Bay.-Course:...
. While historically and technically known as Hanover Courthouse, the Census Bureau and the community's post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
and residents refer to it as Hanover. The population as of the 2010 Census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
was 252.
Its most notable structure is the Hanover County Courthouse
Hanover County Courthouse
Hanover County Courthouse, built in 1735, is an historic courthouse located in Hanover Court House, Virginia. In 1763, Patrick Henry, who lived and practiced law in Hanover County, argued the case of the Parson's Cause, a case involving King George III's requirement that Virginians pay taxes to...
, designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. The attorney Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was an orator and politician who led the movement for independence in Virginia in the 1770s. A Founding Father, he served as the first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779 and subsequently, from 1784 to 1786...
practiced law here and argued the Parson's Cause
Parson's Cause
The "Parson's Cause" was an important legal and political dispute in the Colony of Virginia often viewed as an important event leading up to the American Revolution...
. It is within the Hanover County Courthouse Historic District, which includes the Hanover Tavern
Hanover Tavern
The Hanover Tavern in Hanover Courthouse, Virginia and Hanover County, Virginia, is one of the oldest taverns in the United States. The first tavern was licensed at the site beginning in 1733....
. Rebuilt in 1791 on the site of a Revolutionary-era tavern, the tavern was adapted in 1953 as the Barksdale Theatre
Barksdale Theatre
Barksdale Theatre in Richmond, Virginia, United States is Central Virginia’s first nonprofit professional performing arts organization, founded in 1953 at the historic Hanover Tavern by Tom Carlin, Stewart Falconer, David 'Pete' Kilgore, Priscilla Kilgore, Muriel McAuley and Pat Sharp...
, Central Virginia's leading professional theatre, and the nation's first dinner theatre. Barksdale was Virginia’s first performing arts organization to seat integrated audiences.
The Hanover County Courthouse is an operating courthouse. Located along historic U.S. Route 301
U.S. Route 301
U.S. Route 301 is a spur of U.S. Route 1 running through the South Atlantic States. It currently runs 1,099 miles from Glasgow, Delaware at U.S. Route 40 to Sarasota, Florida. It passes through the states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida...
, it is across from the green from the Hanover Tavern. The courthouse is the third oldest courthouse still in use in the United States. Some local historians cited the courthouse as built in 1735, but the state historical society notes it was built between 1737 and 1742.