Old Union County Courthouse in New Berlin anchors local heritage

The Old Union County Courthouse in New Berlin stands as a tangible link to Union County’s beginnings, its surviving stonework and cornerstone markers drawing interest from local historians and visitors. Built in the 19th century, the building served the county when New Berlin was briefly the county seat before government functions moved to Lewisburg. Today it sits within New Berlin Borough’s compact historic district and figures regularly in talks and walking tours hosted by area historical societies.

For residents and visitors, the courthouse is more than an architectural curiosity. Its presence shapes local identity, anchors heritage tourism that helps small businesses on Main Street, and provides a focal point for community storytelling about civic life in the county’s early years. The building’s masonry and visible markers offer a tactile history lesson for school groups and lifelong learners who turn up for scheduled tours and periodic public programs.

There are practical implications for public health and equity tied to how the courthouse is preserved and used. Historic sites can support mental well-being by fostering community ties and a sense of place, especially in smaller boroughs where gathering spaces are limited. Yet many 19th-century structures were not built with accessibility in mind; ensuring safe, accessible access for older adults and residents with disabilities requires planning and funding. Preservation decisions also raise questions about whose stories get prioritized. Maintaining and interpreting the courthouse alongside other 19th-century structures in the district offers a chance to present a fuller, more inclusive account of local government, labor, and everyday life.

Policy choices at the borough and county level will shape the courthouse’s future role. Investment in preservation, ADA accessibility upgrades, and climate resilience measures would protect the fabric of the building while expanding its community use. At the same time, small historic districts often compete for limited grant dollars and rely heavily on volunteer labor from historical societies. That creates disparities in which communities can sustain active programming and tour schedules and which see landmarks fall into neglect.

For Union County officials and residents, the courthouse is a practical asset and a civic responsibility. It can support heritage tourism dollars, civic education, and community gatherings if coupled with thoughtful outreach and funding strategies. The nearby connection to Lewisburg underscores a regional story: county seats and population centers change, but structures like the New Berlin courthouse preserve the continuity of local government history.

The takeaway? Support the local historical society’s events, push for accessibility and preservation funding at borough and county meetings, and drop by during a walking tour to see the cornerstone markers up close. Our two cents? Treat the courthouse as both a monument and a community room—protect its stonework, broaden its stories, and make sure everyone can step through its doors.