Holiday Photo Sessions

November 13 - December 19

It’s time to get into the holiday spirit! Experience the splendor of the holiday season and capture your merry memories at the Historic Courthouse with a holiday photo session. Professional and amateur photographers are welcome to reserve a one-hour session in the courthouse while it is beautifully decorated for the holidays, including the Santa’s Workshop holiday display. Online reservations for sessions are available on weekends from November 13 – December 19. To request a holiday session on a weekday or after office hours, please call 651-275-7075. Please review the guidelines listed below before reserving.

Holiday Photography Guidelines

The Washington County Historic Courthouse welcomes photography in the building and on the grounds during the winter holiday season. However, all professional and amateur photographers must request permission for their photo session and follow all photography guidelines. This ensures that there are no scheduling conflicts with other photographers, tours, or private event rentals.

• One Hour Holiday Photo Sessions are available on weekends from November 16 through December 29 and may be reserved online. To request a holiday session on a weekday or after regular office hours, please contact 651-275-7075.
• The session fee is for the space only. A photographer and/or prints are not included in the session price. You are welcome to bring your own camera or make separate arrangements with a photographer to meet with you.
• Photographers must make a reservation prior to setting client dates or arriving at the Historic Courthouse.
• Holiday photography sessions are $30 per hour for standard family sessions, mini sessions, etc. For larger scale wedding photography, commercial, lifestyle, product, etc. shoots, please contact the Historic Courthouse for rates.
• Reservations are based on a single time opportunity and multiple sessions are not permitted without prior arrangements made with Washington County Parks staff.
• Please check in at the Parks office upon arrival.
• Use of commercial screens, external power sources, panels, backdrops, props, lighting, or other professional equipment must be details in the photography application and pre-approved.
• Please respect the work and space of others at the Historic Courthouse. The Historic Courthouse is a working building. Do not enter any offices that are not public space. Respect the tenants working in the offices by not blocking doors and keeping noise levels to a minimum.
• Please do not block any stairwells, hallways or doorways with your shoot or equipment. The Historic Courthouse offers public and private tours daily. Staff and visitors must be able to access all public areas of the building.
• Do not enter into any rooms that are in the process of being set-up for an upcoming event.
• Parks staff reserves the right to ask you to leave a space at any time.
• No antique furniture is permitted to be moved from its original location without prior permission.
• No climbing, sitting or standing atop any antique furniture pieces placed throughout the building.
• Please do not leave any personal items unattended. Washington County Parks is not responsible for any lost, broken, or stolen items.

Victorian Tea

2022: TBD

Sip and savor a catered multi-course tea and enjoy a program by the Minnesota Historical Society in the stately historic courtroom.

Arrive early and tour the exhibits and 1900’s county jail or view displays of the Historic Courthouse China Collection in the courtroom.

The cost is $40 per person. All proceeds benefit the Historic Courthouse Restoration Fund. Enjoy a scrumptious tea while helping to preserve this historical landmark! 

Community Ice Cream Social

July 15, 2021
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Held outdoors on the grounds of the Historic Courthouse, the Ice Cream Social is a perennial community favorite.

The Ice Cream Social is free to attend and open to the public. Bring a blanket and enjoy live music on the lawn. In the event of rain, the event will be canceled.

 Featured fun includes:

• Live music: Tricia & The Toonies (5:30-6:30pm) & Kashimana (7-8pm)
• Children’s games and activities
• Paper Sculptures with Franconia Sculpture Park
• Root beer floats, ice cream, Brats / hot dogs, chips, etc. available for purchase
• Local vendors

Proceeds from the root beer floats, ice cream, and Historic Courthouse merchandise benefit the Historic Courthouse Restoration Fund.

A special thank you to our event sponsors, Edina Realty and Lift Bridge Brewery.

Kashimana
Kashimana is a mother, musician, vocalist, composer, producer and teaching artist with a rich soulful blues voice that soars through their original compositions. The name Kashimana means "that's their heart" and you can hear Kashimana's heart beating in the compelling sound of their music which is an exploration of Soul, R&B, Folk, Afro-funk and more. Kashimana often draws from her Nigerian heritage and experiences growing up in Nigeria and Kenya and living in the United States. Kashimana is a 2021 Jerome Hill Artist Fellow and 2019 Cedar Commissioned Artist.

Tricia & The Toonies
Tricia, Pete, and their very funny puppets captivate family audiences from the first roar of belly laughter through to their last delightful song. Add LOTS of audience participation and volunteer opportunities and you have everyone engaged in these uplifting and fast-paced musical comedies. 

2021 Community Ice Cream Social Vendor Application