Queen Anne's County Courthouse

Henry Adams is currently engaged in delivering professional engineering design services encompassing Mechanical, Electrical, Communications, Plumbing, and Fire Protection for the interior renovation of the Queen Anne’s County Courthouse. Originally constructed between 1792 and 1794, the courthouse underwent major repairs in 1868, and an expansion in 1876 that nearly doubled the size of the original building with the addition of a new courtroom and wings. In 1961, a new 6,900 square foot "modern" underground addition was constructed, featuring an extensive civil defense "bunker" section. Despite the modern addition, all aspects of the courthouse, excluding the bunker, hold historical significance and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A total floor space of approximately 14,350 GSF comprises the facility.

This endeavor represents the next step in the process and builds on our conditions assessment and Schematic Design Concept. The project involves removing previous ad hoc enhancements that detract from the historic character of the building, conducting restoration work, and revamping the interior to suit the needs of new occupants. Moreover, it includes the addition of a fire suppression system and the replacement of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, communications, and fire alarm systems, aligning with principles of historical preservation, adapting to new uses, and upgrading outdated systems for enhanced energy efficiency. It is particularly noteworthy that Queen Anne’s County is committed to fully financing the renovation without pursuing external grants.

The estimated construction budget for this project ranges between $8M and $10M.