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JOHN ADAMS COURTHOUSE DEDICATED IN
OFFICIAL CEREMONY WITH DIGNITARIES AND HUNDREDS OF
VISITORS
Boston, MA --- Hundreds
of guests and well wishers today joined with judges, national,
state and local dignitaries, legislators, lawyers, court
employees, and business and civic leaders to dedicate the
historic and newly renovated John Adams Courthouse, permanent
home of the judicial branch, at Boston's Pemberton Square.
Supreme
Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall provided
brief remarks and welcomed the guests and participants,
which included historian David McCullough, the keynote
speaker, U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Lieutenant Governor
Kerry Healey, and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. United
States Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer also attended
the ceremony.
"The
John Adams Courthouse is the first courthouse, indeed the
first significant building anywhere, named for one of our
most brilliant Founding Fathers," said Chief Justice Marshall.
She
credited the legislative and executive branches for
their help in restoring "the dignity and purpose"of the
John Adams Courthouse.
"This
courthouse stands as a visible tribute to the cooperation
of all three
branches of government," Chief
Justice Marshall said. She also stated that they are
committed to the necessary renovations and construction
of courthouses throughout the state.
Senator
Kennedy said, "It is an extraordinary privilege to be part
of this ceremony rededicating our Commonwealth to the rule
of law and dedicating this wonderful newly renovated courthouse
in the name of the man who did so much to create our country
as a nation of law."
"Our
hope is that future generations will see the Adams Courthouse
not just as a monument to the past, but also as a continuing
tribute to the proud legacy of America's legal tradition," said
Lieutenant Governor Healey.
The
Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court and the Appeals
Court began the dedication ceremony with a procession to
the Great Hall led by the Sudbury Ancient Fyfe and Drum
Companie. Ernest Triplett performed the national anthem
and Reverend Sheldon Bennett, Senior Minister of the United
First Parish Church in Quincy, gave the invocation and
benediction. The Framingham High School A Cappella Choir
sang "God Bless America." SJC Clerk for Suffolk County
Maura S. Doyle provided their introductions. The winner
of the Supreme Judicial Court
High School Essay Contest (for
printing )
, Rachel Gants of Lexington High School, was also recognized
by Chief Justice Marshall during the ceremony.
Originally
built between 1886 and 1894, the majestic courthouse was
formerly known as the Suffolk County Courthouse and is
listed on the State and National Registers of Historic
Places. In 2002, the courthouse was renamed the John Adams
Courthouse in honor of Massachusetts native son, John Adams,
because of his numerous, significant contributions to the
role of the judiciary, including authorship of the Massachusetts
Constitution. The John Adams Courthouse, which opened in
January following historic preservation and massive renovation
work, houses the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court,
and the Social Law Library. The move to the John Adams
Courthouse marked a return to the former home for the 313-year-old
Supreme Judicial Court and 201-year-old Social Law Library,
which inhabited the courthouse from 1894 to 1939. The Appeals
Court was created in 1972.
Among
the many restored architectural features are the original
oak paneled courtrooms, the stunning vaulted ceiling and
artwork in the Great Hall, and the Oliver Wendell Holmes
Courtroom and original bench, where Chief Justice Oliver
W. Holmes presided more than one hundred years ago before
his appointment as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
in 1902.
The
courthouse roofs and infrastructure were completely rebuilt,
which included modern heating, electrical, ventilation,
security, and fire protection systems. New windows, stairways,
elevators, and handicapped-accessible features were added,
as well as a new seven-justice courtroom equipped with
modern technology for computers, audio-visual needs, and
web broadcasting of court proceedings.
Under
the management supervision of the Division of Capital Asset
Management, led by Commissioner David B. Perini, the building
contractor was Suffolk/NER, a joint venture between Suffolk
Construction Company, Inc. and NER Construction Management
Inc. The architect was Childs Bertman Tseckares, Inc. of
Boston. The total project cost was $147.4 million.
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