JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse is set to benefit from a historic $5.8 million donation from the estate of the late Sebastian George Spangler, marking the largest gift ever received by the State Historical Society of North Dakota Foundation.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Dale Lennon, executive director of the foundation, outlined the significance of the donation. Spangler’s contribution will fund critical restoration projects, ensuring the courthouse’s preservation for generations.  The funds will allow for urgent upgrades, including replacing the 30-year-old roof and installing air conditioning in the courtroom. Additionally, the courthouse will continue to serve as a venue for community events.

Spangler, a Jamestown-area farmer and antique dealer, was a longtime supporter of historic preservation. His gift will establish an endowment aimed at supporting the courthouse’s ongoing maintenance, staffing, and special projects.

The courthouse, known as the birthplace of North Dakota statehood, has benefited from preservation efforts since its construction in 1883. Lennon noted that Spangler’s donation, the largest in the foundation’s history, will help further those efforts.