The Historic 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse is  open this summer, from Memorial Day thru Labor Day,  10 am to 5 pm Weds through Sun, closed Mon & Tues.   The 1883 Courthouse is located at 504 3rd Ave SE in Jamestown, ND.  It is also available by appointment for scheduled group tours.

Efforts to save the courthouse began in 1982 spearheaded by the late Mary Young of Jamestown, joined by others, concerned when the Stutsman County Commission wanted to tear down the building, when the new adjacent courthouse was built.

Work on the 1883 restoration began in the 1990’s.  The building houses the most complete collection of pressed tin in the state, and has recently undergone a massive restoration.  Updates include an electrical overhaul, new restrooms, boiler installation, and the complete restoration of the historic Auditor’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Office of the Clerk of Court, hallway, jury room, and staircase.  The completion of the stairway restoration was funded by the 1883 Courthouse Committee, of Jamestown.

Video Below from 2016:    Jamestown (CSi) A private reception was held at the Historic 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse in Jamestown, for the Dedication of The Mary Faith Young Room May 13, 2016. Video and photos by CSi TV 10 – The Replay Channel.  More photos online at Facebook.  Like, Tag, & Share.

2016 Dedication Video & Slideshow  35 minutes runtime

Mary Young Room Dedication May 2016 from The Replay Channel on Vimeo.

Voice of Mary Young at start from audio interview she did in 1994 recorded by Jackie Tarpinian

At the event the family and friends of Mary Young were on hand to dedicate the Clerk of Court office in the historic courthouse in honor of Young.  A ribbon cutting was held to officially open the room.

Related stories at CSiNewsNOW.com

1883 Courthouse Open House May 14, 2016  and video

Sneak Peek Photo Album of 1883 Courthouse

Speakers included:

State Historical Society, Historic Sites Manager, Guinn Hinman

1883 Courthouse Committee President, Mike Williams

The Dedicatory remarks were given by the State Historical Society, former President, Jim Sperry.

Also remarks were given by former Jamestown Sun Editor, Jim Smorada, a personal friend of Mary’s.

More photos oncline at Facebook.

  • Mary Faith Young Room 1883 Courthouse. More CSi pixs at Facebook Mary Faith Young Room 1883 Courthouse. More CSi pixs at Facebook
  • Mary Faith Young Room 1883 Courthouse. More CSi pixs at Facebook Mary Faith Young Room 1883 Courthouse. More CSi pixs at Facebook
  • Jim Smorada - former editor Sun, personal friend of Mary's Jim Smorada - former editor Sun, personal friend of Mary's
  • Mary Faith Young Room 1883 Courthouse. More CSi pixs at Facebook Mary Faith Young Room 1883 Courthouse. More CSi pixs at Facebook
  • Jim Sperry - former Director, State Historical Society of ND Jim Sperry - former Director, State Historical Society of ND
  • Mary Faith Young Room 1883 Courthouse. More CSi pixs at Facebook Mary Faith Young Room 1883 Courthouse. More CSi pixs at Facebook
  • Mary Faith Young Room 1883 Courthouse. More CSi pixs at Facebook Mary Faith Young Room 1883 Courthouse. More CSi pixs at Facebook
  • Mike Williams - Guinn Hinman Mike Williams - Guinn Hinman
  • Mary Faith Young Room 1883 Courthouse. More CSi pixs at Facebook Mary Faith Young Room 1883 Courthouse. More CSi pixs at Facebook
     

The program reminds residents that when the 1883 Stutsman County Courhouse was threatened with demolition, Mary Young passionately advocated to save and restore the building. Faced with Staunch opposition, Mary established, “Project ’83,” a group of Jamestown citizens dedicated to saving the building, creating awareness and raising funds for its restoration.

Mary passed away on November 14, 2015. In January 2016, the State Historical Society Board honored her legacy by naming the historic Clerk of Court’s Office, the “Mary Faith Young Room,”  as a gesture of memorial and remembrance to her legacy and tireless efforts to save the courthouse.

The efforts are continuing.