While today most 19th century courthouses seem to be uniquely American buildings that embody the ideals of our democratic institutions, they are, in all reality, the product of many different cultures mixed together under one roof.

The idea of having a place set aside for the administering of justice goes back thousands of years. The Iroquois, who wrote arguably the first democratic constitution in North America, spoke of administering justice in natural settings rich with symbolic meaning. When Americans began designing their courthouses, however, they looked to the ancient Greeks for architectural hints. The domes and classical columns that grace historic courthouses stand as examples of Greek influence.

Even the laws historically interpreted in this courthouse serve as examples of the blend of cultural influences found in America. In the 19th century, the State of Michigan published laws and resolutions in multiple languages including German and Norwegian. How many immigrants came to court in this very building unable to speak more than a few broken words of English? Yet regardless of their ethnic backgrounds, the stories of these people are the stories of this building throughout its long history.