Berrima Courthouse
Designed by Colonial Architect, Mortimer Lewis in the Greek Revival style, Berrima Courthouse is one of the must see buildings in Berrima New South Wales. Completed in 1839, it only operated for seven years. Subsequently the courthouse operated only occasionally as a courthouse. However, as the centre of public administration it was from here that licenses were issued to publicans and hawkers and convicts were assigned as farm workers. It was also a venue for meetings, dances, concerts and church services.
Now a museum, the courthouse contains displays illustrating its past. One room is set up as the judge’s chambers, with portraits of judges. The main attraction though is a re-enactment of a murder trial. Set in the courtroom, with manikins dressed as the judge, jurors and the accused, it details how the trial was run. Running on a 15 minute loop, the multi-media presentation was fun to sit through.
This was a quick fun visit and worth seeing if you are in Berrima. We had only intended on seeing the outside of the building, but as it was open so we saw the interior as well.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.