VALDOSTA – The Historic Lowndes County Courthouse was filled from wall to wall with local community leaders, stakeholders and residents eager to get a tour of the newly restored facility.

The courthouse was originally built more than 120 years ago and remains to hold true on its sound foundation. A ribbon cutting was held Wednesday morning to commemorate the building and its project completion.

Lowndes High School Director of Chorus Dr. Jennifer McQuade led the LHS Cantors through the “Star-Spangled Banner” as the Honor Guard lifted the Flag of the United States. The invocation was led by Father Jim Elliott.

Lowndes County Manager Paige Duke began the ceremony in the second floor courtroom welcoming the attendees and introducing Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Slaughter.

“When you think about a building such as this and just the architectural value of it, you have to go back to 1904 when this building was being constructed. There were no modern tools. There was nothing but pure talent. Then you have to come to where we’re at today and just think about how far that this country, this world and this county has come in a really short period of time,” Slaughter said to the attendees.

Celine Gladwin and Erin Vaughn, the architects and owners of Gladwin Vaughn Architecture, took the podium and informed the audience details of the construction. The architects said they conducted thorough studies and even a 3-D scan of the building.

“Today marks an important milestone for our community and I’m so proud to be standing here with you,” Gladwin said through tears. “This building is described as one of the most complex exteriors in Georgia. We looked at the building from the roof all the way to the basement and everything in between.”

They said they will always cherish the memories of working in the summer heat on the courthouse.

Vaughn shared details about the materials. She said the project brought the exterior back to its original configuration and they restored the original clay tile roof. The judge chambers were even painted blue in honor of the late H. Arthur “Mac” McLane.

The Honorable Richard M. Cowart followed with remarks commending the work and said the courthouse is his favorite in the region to work in. Cowart said McLane would be proud of its completion.

Attendees were able to roam the building and view photographs of the original building the architects referenced thanks to the Lowndes County Historical Society.

Dukes shared gratitude to Project Manager and Superintendent at AllState Construction Group Matt Ryan, Lowndes County Public Information Officer Meghan Barwick and Lowndes County Director of Engineering Services Chad McLeod and Cauthan Construction Company, Inc.

She said the first floor will be used for public information and to house a veterans office, the basement will be open for public events. The second floor will be maintained for court proceedings if needed, weddings or theater productions.

The Historic Lowndes County Courthouse is located on 100 E. Central Ave.