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The Declaration of Independence was first read publicly in Virginia at the courthouse in Williamsburg, the capital at the time. This brick courthouse still stands today! 

Bricks are an old building material dating back to 7,000 BCE, and they’re still used today for their durability, long-lasting properties, non-reactivity, customization and fire resistance. 

Primarily made of molded clay, bricks are fired at high heat and then cooled in a process called vitrification. The clay and other components seal together to create a durable brick. It's the same process that turns sand into glass.

While bricks are still a common building material, some material scientists are experimenting with constructing more environmentally friendly bricks using materials such as cork, fungi, loofah fibers and wool.

Relevant Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) include: USII.9, 1.3, CH.6 and 5.7