History unfolds in a hidden gem
One of Northampton's most beautiful and historic buildings, which has been hidden away from public view for years, has had its doors thrown open again.
The Sessions House building in George Row was officially re-opened yesterday.
The 17th century, grade one-listed court building has undergone a 100,000 facelift over the past five years to create both a new entrance to Northamptonshire County Council's headquarters, a tourist information centre for the county and a small museum.
Work has also been carried out to restore the town's former court rooms, which make up part of the building, and weekly tours of the building are now planned.
The council's cabinet member for communities, Councillor Andre Gonzalez de Savage (Con, East Hunsbury) said: "It's an absolutely fabulous building. It has taken us five years to get here, but it's now a superb heritage centre.
"And to see how the building has been transformed is a real eye opener."
For the past few years, the historic building has sat on English Heritage's official "at risk" register.
It now has a small museum in its entrance, displaying items from the history of the Sessions House, from the keys to the old cells to the leg irons in which people were transported to the old courts.
Tours of the old court rooms and prison cells are also being planned for the future while the restored court rooms will also be used for police training sessions, coroners' court hearings and some minor judicial proceedings.
A new display room next to the courts will also be used over the next year to house displays on the history of the Battle of Naseby, Formula 1 and archaeological finds from across the county.
Councillor Gonzalez de Savage said: "We really want to put the county on show in this building. It's a stunning building, one of Northamptonshire's finest."
The centre has been developed by the county council with Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd and funding from the East Midlands Development Association.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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