On Saturday September 7, at 10:00am, Historic Germanna will hold a special event to mark the 300th anniversary of the Spotsylvania County Courthouse. Led by Germanna Archaeologists, this event will offer a rare opportunity to explore the early days of Colonial Virginia’s legal system and the critical role courthouses played in the lives of its residents.
On September 1, 1724, a case was heard in the newly constructed Spotsylvania Courthouse, built under the direction of Alexander Spotswood. This case involved Sawney, a Saponi man who traveled from Canada to Germanna to deliver an important message. The events surrounding Sawney’s visit have echoed through history. Visitors will hear the original testimonies of Germanna’s residents as they recount the events of Sawney’s visit, providing a unique perspective on the British Colonial legal system and its impact on the diverse peoples of Germanna.
Experience history firsthand on the grounds where these events unfolded 300 years ago. This event goes beyond a traditional history lesson; being at the site of the courthouse and Spotswood’s Germanna home offers a unique connection to the past and the deep, though often overlooked, Indigenous connections that have shaped this region’s history.
The event begins at 10 am at the Historic Germanna Visitor Center for an introduction and continues at the archaeological site of Alexander Spotswood’s former home, now known as The Enchanted Castle, where attendees will delve into the significance of court houses and “court days” in colonial life. After the program, guests can walk approximately 300 feet to the nearby site believed to be the original Spotsylvania Courthouse, where Sawney’s deposition took place. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to view the ongoing excavations and connect directly with this pivotal moment in history.
This event will be held RAIN OR SHINE. Please dress for the weather.
This is a not-to-be-missed event for anyone interested in history, archaeology, and the legacy of Germanna’s early inhabitants. Join Historic Germanna to reflect on the courthouse’s enduring impact on the community and the rich Indigenous history that continues to influence Germanna’s story.
This event is generously funded in part by grants from Virginia Humanities, and Dominion Energy and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.
Travel to Germany with the Germanna Foundation