ACCOMAC, Va. — The Town of Accomac announced that restoration work has begun on the Debtor’s Prison, a building constructed between 1782 and 1784 and one of Virginia’s oldest municipal structures. Funding for the project comes from the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund and a grant highlighted by Governor Glenn Youngkin.
According to the town, the building originally served as a jailer’s residence and was converted into a debtor’s prison in 1842. The current restoration, led by Landmark Preservation, will focus on structural stabilization, masonry and plaster repair, and upgrades designed to preserve the historic character of the building. The town stated that crews have started removing deteriorated lime plaster, restoring original windows, and replacing non-historic Portland cement with traditional lime mortar. Upcoming work will include roof and drainage repairs, exterior woodwork restoration, and interior stabilization using historically accurate materials and techniques.
The restoration is expected to be completed in spring 2026. Once finished, the Debtor’s Prison will serve as a community heritage site with educational programs, walking tours, and public exhibits organized by the Drummondtowne Preservation Society and local partners, the town said. The town also reported that historical artifacts from the building were carefully removed and documented, with select items transferred to the Eastern Shore of Virginia Heritage Center for preservation and public access.
Residents are encouraged by the town to visit the site to observe the restoration work. Additional information is available on the Town of Accomac’s website at accomac.org.
