Westmoreland County Courthouse
Website:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westmoreland_County_Courthouse
Telephone Number:
Location:
2 N Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601
Hours:
Mondays through Fridays 8:30 AM to 4 PM
Description:
The Westmoreland County Courthouse, described as one of the region's most beautiful Beaux Arts buildings, is located on Main Street in downtown Greensburg, PA.
Erected in 1906, this four-story imposing architecture can be seen from several approaches into the county seat. Its central dome, 175 feet above the ground, is of Italian Renaissance style, one of only two in the world designed by the courthouse's original architect, William Kauffman.
The exterior walls are faced with light gray granite from Maine. The massive central dome is flanked on either side by two smaller ones above the main entrance, originally covered with ornamental gold and ivory terra cotta. Roof edges and pediments are decorated with stone banisters and ornamental carving and figures.
The tympanum of the front pediment is marked by sculpture in granite representing Art and Industry under the protection of the Shield of the Nation. As a crown are three female figures which can be seen from the main thoroughfare facing east, they are symbolic of justice, the law, and the people. On the face of the two large cartouches, between the main entrance arches, are carved the Seals of the County and Commonwealth.
The inside focal point of interest, is the 85 foot cupola, or dome ceiling. Of Romanesque design, the rotunda in the center extends up through four floors, reflecting light from four large semi-circular windows at the base of the dome. The dome ceiling is painted with delicate floral arabesques and gold leaf technique. Circular mezzanines on each floor of the rotunda are balustraded in white marble.
English-veined Italian marble decorates the public hall walls as well as the rotunda. Corridor floors and ceilings are laid with varicolored mosaics. Panels are set with marble mosaics in Renaissance patterns.
A grand staircase of marble from the first floor opens upward to twin spirals to the second floor. Two original courtrooms on the second and fourth floors are enhanced by deep coved ceilings, colorful murals, and Edwardian globular chandeliers.
Saint Jago and San Domingo mahogany complete the first and second stories while quartered oak enhances the remainder of the building.
French artist Maurice Ingres was commissioned in the early 1900's to paint 15 wall and ceiling murals. Oil paintings by the artist also include eight presiding judges who were on the bench from incorporation to the time of the 1908, building dedication and other founding fathers of the county. These portraits appear on courtroom friezes within decorative plaster laurel wreaths that favor classical French style, touches with gold leaf technique.
The courthouse may be visited weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Group tours (15 to 35 people) may be arranged in advance by calling (724) 830-3588.
From museum’s website
