This rare wood block by local artist Harold Edward Little (1940-2011) shows the Botetourt County Courthouse just after the fire on December 15, 1970, which destroyed the building. It was created in reverse by cutting out the black lines on the wood and then painting the colors on the wood to make each print on black paper. The smoke and burning embers can be seen along with the damage.
The Board of Supervisors announced that this courthouse would have to be rebuilt due to the collapse of the fire damaged walls and appointed a committee to decide on the architects, number and size of additional rooms. The fourth courthouse was dedicated on Saturday, June 14, 1975, with Gov. Mills E. Godwin, Jr. giving the dedication. Today, a new courthouse is under construction.
In August of this year, Cory Campbell of Wyncote, Pa., purchased this wood block from Harris Hall of Antiques and donated it to the Botetourt Museum of History & Culture in Fincastle. More of Harold’s artwork is available for purchase during weekends at Harris Hall of Antiques along Route 220.
Harold Little created the logo for Historic Fincastle, Inc., which shows the local steeples and often exhibited in the Fincastle Festival which was held this past Saturday, Sept. 27.
~ Botetourt County Museum of History & Culture
