Washington County stops bookings of Historic Courthouse weddings

The ever-popular wedding business at Washington County's Historic Courthouse is headed for a moratorium because of excessive wear and tear on the 146-year-old Stillwater landmark.

The County Board endorsed a plan Tuesday to stop booking weddings for 2017 until the county parks staff drafts a permanent plan for the building's future use. Seventeen wedding bookings already made for next year will be honored.

"First and foremost, we have to protect the historical significance of the building," said Commissioner Gary Kriesel, who represents Stillwater on the County Board.

Just last September, the county shifted responsibility for the burgeoning wedding business to a private contractor, Stillwater Boat and Packet Co., which operates the big riverboats on the St. Croix River.

However, the company now wants out of its contract because the job requires more security workers than the county provided, said Don Theisen, the county's public works director.

Board Chairman Fran Miron said it appeared the board had arrived at a consensus to protect the courthouse, even if it meant losing wedding revenue, because of the landmark's cultural significance.

"This is a park facility for the entire county. It just happens to be located in Stillwater," Kriesel said.

The growth in business has challenged the county's parks staff in recent years. Commissioners said that while they welcomed revenue from those events, they didn't want employees distracted from giving tours, planning community events and interpreting the landmark's rich history.

But it was evidence of recent damage to the county's original courthouse — more like a museum than an event center — that concerned commissioners and county staffers most of all.

"This is heavy, heavy use for a building that was never designed for it," said County Engineer Wayne Sandberg.

In one instance, a sink was shattered during a party. In another, one of the original 12 jury chairs in the upstairs courtroom was ruined.

Celebrants glued items to the original hardwood floor, dumped leftover popcorn in the parking lot, damaged carpets and packed rooms beyond their capacity.

"He just wanted to say, your building is getting destroyed," Kriesel said. Anderson wasn't available for comment.

The company has 29 events remaining on its contract this year. Commissioners told Theisen and Sandberg, who oversee the county's park division, that they preferred the company finish out the year.

"I have absolutely zero interest in having a wedding coordinator on staff," Kriesel said.

Commissioner Karla Bigham warned against the county dropping the wedding business in the lap of Peter Mott, the county's parks program coordinator.

"I don't think Peter wants to be on the phone with upset brides or mothers of brides," she said.