Territorial County Courthouse Restoration Project

Built in 1858, the T.G. Richards Building dates back in Pacific Northwest history to an age of early white settlement and gold rushes. It predates the Civil War, the transcontinental railroad, and the emergence of cities on Puget Sound. It was the first brick masonry building to be erected in Whatcom Territory and is the oldest standing brick building in the state today. In 150+ years, it has seen many uses from humble storefront to the seat of Whatcom County government.

The Whatcom County Historical Society acquired the T.G. Richards Building (aka Territorial Whatcom County Courthouse in 2001 from former owners Carl and Nickie Akers. The Akers purchased the building in 1955. After their business, Akers Taxidermy, outgrew the building, it was rented to Base Camp outfitters and various artists and woodworkers. The Akers succeeded in getting the building listed with the Washington State Historical Register.

After the Akers gifted the building to the Historical Society, a task force was formed and funding obtained from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to prepare an Historic Structures Report, the foundation for restoration work. In 2003, the T.G. Richards Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Society has been raising funds and working on restoring and preserving the building for current and future generations since 2004.

For more details on the restoration project, please see the attached PDF (377 KB). Please note that the timeline has changed and that fund-raising and restoration work is still underway. For up-to-date information, please contact the Restoration Chair, Rick Tremaine or (360) 319-0065.

For donation options, including a Steve Mayo maritime print or personalized brick paver, download, print, and mail this PDF form (135 KB).