On Saturday, Nov. 7, Kenosha County will host two free encore performances of “Lovers of Liberty,” the original musical piece written for the newly restored Ceremonial Courtroom. The concerts begin at noon and 1 p.m., coinciding with the city’s annual Keys to Kenosha event.
Local musicians bring history to life
Ben Woods and the Prairie String Quartet, joined by The Courtroom Players, will perform the roughly 12‑minute composition inside the historic courtroom. As the music moves through the space, Woods narrates, describing the room’s stone walls, murals, and the ideals they embody. The ensemble includes musicians from across the Kenosha music community and features students from the Kenosha Unified School District, highlighting the city’s vibrant artistic talent.
A tribute to Lincoln and the courthouse’s heritage
The piece’s title comes from a frieze that circles the courtroom, bearing a gold‑leafed passage from Abraham Lincoln that urges every American to swear never to violate the nation’s laws. The music celebrates that legacy while guiding listeners through the courtroom’s restored 1925 appearance.
Restoration funded by community generosity
The two‑story Ceremonial Courtroom was returned to its original 1925 look after a restoration that began in 2025 and concluded this summer. Crews removed a decades‑old dropped ceiling, revealing a large leaded‑glass skylight and decorative ornamentation hidden since the 1960s. A $675,000 matching grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation anchored the project, which was further supported by more than $1.5 million in contributions from local residents, businesses, and other foundations.
County leadership highlights the milestone
County Executive Samantha Kerkman praised the restored courtroom as a highlight of the day, saying, “We’re particularly proud to showcase the newly restored Ceremonial Courtroom in our historic Courthouse, a space many people have not yet seen in its new, beautiful form.”
Visit the courtroom and other historic sites
Beyond the musical performances, the Ceremonial Courtroom will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during Keys to Kenosha, allowing visitors who cannot attend the concerts to explore the space. A commemorative ornament and keepsake book, created for the Kenosha County Courthouse Centennial Celebration, will also be available for purchase.
Keys to Kenosha is a free, self‑guided tour of more than 50 architectural landmarks, historic buildings, civic spaces, and hidden gems across the city. The full lineup of events can be viewed on the official Keys to Kenosha website.
Original reporting: Kenosha.com — read the source article.
