The Senior Judge Oral History Program

About the Program

Philadelphia has a rich legal and judicial history. We are home to the oldest Bar Association in the nation. Our courts date to the early 1600s when the Swedish settled this area.

Hundreds of Judges have presided in Philadelphia courtrooms since William Penn founded the City in 1682. Portraits of many hang in City Hall. If these portraits could speak, their stories would be fascinating.

The Senior Judge Oral History Program was created to record video interviews with senior and retired judges who have served in the Philadelphia Courts. The program's goals include preserving Philadelphia judicial history and making it accessible to the community through the Internet. While the Judges' anecdotes and insights are sure to entertain and surprise viewers, the purpose of sharing their stories is to promote a better understanding of the way courts work.

Please note: The Senior Judge Oral History Program is an ongoing project; it is not complete. More video interviews will be added to the website as the information is compiled.