[3] The commissioners were persuaded that something more was required... than what was barely necessary; that... the state of this County, rapidly advancing in wealth and prosperity, required a liberal and judiciously expenditure for public accommodation, and that acquiring a taste for the fine arts was intimately connected with a refinement of manners and even with moral sentiment; that a magnificent temple of Justice would inspire an elevation of mind and contribute to cherish those feelings of reverence for the administration of the laws which it is so desirable to cultivate in a free community; the as the situation was in the most handsome and conspicuous place in the town, the building should be made in accordance with the architectural spirit of the times and comporting with the dignity and taste of the citizens of the County.

[2] Masonic ceremonies, bell ringing and cannon fire accompanied the laying of the cornerstone on July 4, 1825.

[2] In a cavity made in the cornerstone, a leaden box was deposited containing It was designed by Solomon Willard [2][6] and was dedicated on February 20, 1827.

[4] A bell made by Paul Revere was moved from the old courthouse to the new north portico, where it was tolled to announce court sessions.

[2][a] A group of citizens petitioned the commissioners, asking them not to make any structural changes for fear of ruining the exterior aesthetics of the building.

[citation needed] In May 1920 two Italian immigrants, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, were arrested for a robbery that had taken place in South Braintree on April 20.

[6] In a highly charged trial which took place in this building, the two men proclaimed their innocence, and their leftist political views became a major element of the case.

"[12] When Rufus Choate was arguing a case, the older students at Dedham High School would be dismissed from class to listen to his orations.

[8] In the mid-1800s, the Revere bell was tolled from the moment the judge was seen approaching on High Street until he was seated on the bench.

[8] When the judge was seated, the sheriff stood the sword (or occasionally a round white rod) upright in its standard and said "Court!"

[8] Television-Judge Joseph Wapner sat on the bench in the courthouse in July 1989 to film five episodes of The People's Court.