Who Are We?

Mission Statement
We manage the Courthouse Complex and operate fine and performing arts, crafts, and educational activities for people of all ages. We give individuals a chance to enjoy, participate in, and serve the community. We celebrate our past by restoring and preserving the Old Washington County Courthouse at Salem.

Vision Statement
We will enhance and enrich the quality of life in Salem and the surrounding area by honoring the past and fostering a nurturing, stimulating environment. At the Courthouse, all people can grow, express themselves, learn, and contribute to the community.

Our Values
As a visionary and realistic community-based organization, we value co-operation, collaboration, diversity, creativity and history.

The HSCPA Story
When it became apparent in 2001 that Washington County was going to vacate the Old Washington County Courthouse in Salem, William Eberle, a retired attorney, spearheaded a group of citizens to take action and make the courthouse a community center. Concerned citizens met with John G. Waite, a renowned preservation architect, who made a presentation about other restoration projects and arranged for the group to visit some recently restored buildings. Meetings were then held on a regular basis and Bill put in motion the chartering of a not-for-profit with the Education Department of New York State.

In January 2002 the Historic Salem Courthouse Preservation Association, Inc. (HSCPA) officially became a corporation and the first Board of Directors was elected. They selected Bill to be the first president of HSCPA.

An InfoFest, held in March, demonstrated that approximately 500 had an interest in making this grand old building a center which would serve the community. The Info Fest also gave community members an opportunity to offer input about the future of the courthouse complex. Shortly after, a charrette or planning debate involving many preservation professionals and local contractors, determined that this was a feasible project.

A mission of the corporation, facilitating the transfer of the courthouse complex to a Salem entity, was carried out with HSCPA negotiating with county officials. In July 2003 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Washington County, Town of Salem, Village of Salem and HSCPA. This agreement made it possible for HSCPA to move into the complex and hold its first Al Fresco Dinner in August. By the end of the year a partnership was finalized with the Town, Village, and HSCPA with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement. The Town became the owner of the property on January 1, 2004 with management by HSCPA. The Village continued in a supportive role.  To date the courthouse project has received no funding from Salem taxpayers.

HSCPA has been awarded numerous grants to underwrite the expense of restoring the courthouse for community service. Grants have been awarded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, NYS Council on the Arts, Preservation League of NYS, and an Environmental Profection fund grant awarded by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Until mid -2007 HSCPA was totally staffed by volunteers. It became evident that HSCPA programs had grown to the point that paid staff was needed. A Program Coordinator/ Administrative Assistant was hired and an Executive Director came on board in June 2008. Programs and staffing have been made possible by the generous donations of HSCPA supporters.

The public is welcomed to attend HSCPA board meetings held at the courthouse on the 3rd Tuesday at 7 p.m. Call the courthouse for more information.