History

Historic Lunenburg County lies within the rolling terrain of the Piedmont (Southside) area of the State of Virginia which is frequently referred to as the "Mother of States".

Lunenburg originally was part of Brunswick County which was established during the reign of George II of England. Among his numerous titles was Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg (this spelling is correct). When this territory was divided, one section became Brunswick County and the other Luneburg, later Anglecized to Lunenburg.

Lunenburg County is proudly and historically known as the "Mother of Counties." After being formed from Brunswick on May 1, 1746, Lunenburg went on to provide territory for the formation of nine other counties after 1753-Charlotte, Partick and Henry-hence, the title, "Mother of Counties." The first Lunenburg Courthouse was located in what is now Mecklenburg County.

Lunenburg also is one of only fourteen counties in Virginia known as "The Hanover Counties" because they bear names associated with various persons of the royal House of Hanover.

Lunenburg also is historically know as "The Old Free State of Lunenburg," a title bestowed at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861.

Lunenburg, largely agricultural, is known for its red clay and climate suited to various crops, mainly tobacco which has been and still is the county's principal cash crop. This red clay also was beneficial for building, resulting in the historic courthouse and many of its ante-bellum homes and chimneys being constructed of hand-kilned bricks from native soil.

The present Lunenburg Courthouse building, the county's third, was erected between August 1824 and March 1827. It embodies the architectural characteristics of Thomas Jefferson and carried the great distinction of being one of only four Jeffersonian Courthouses in Virginia.

Though still beautiful and statuesque, the courthouse building and grounds have been altered to varying degrees over the years. The Lunenburg Board of Supervisors is in the process of a project that will add a large office/courts complex to the grounds, architecturally compatible with the 176-year old structure and immediate surroundings. Included in this project will be the restoration of the historic building and grounds, returning them as nearly as possible to the integrity of their beginnings.