Fodor's Expert Review Ulster County Courthouse
Kingston
New York's first constitution was drafted on this site in 1777, in an earlier building. Then its first chief justice, John Jay, was sworn in in that courthouse. Shortly thereafter, in the same year, the British burned down Kingston; the current courthouse was built in 1818. Sojourner Truth was freed in 1826, and she immediately—and successfully—sued, in this courthouse, to have her son freed from slavery in Alabama. The courthouse is open to the public while court is in session between 8:30 and 4:30 on weekdays. No photography is allowed.
