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The United States Courthouse at 109 South Pearl St. was completed in 1853 and was originally known as Institute Hall because it was one of two buildings that comprised the Natchez Institute. The building originally featured an upper-floor auditorium and raised basement with four classrooms entered from a dramatic entrance hall with a pair of elliptical staircases. In 1921, World War I veterans renovated the building, changed its name to Memorial Hall, and installed a stage in the auditorium. It was later home to the Fisk Library and a museum. In 1987, the Historic Natchez Foundation acquired the building from the City of Natchez to prevent its demolition. It was renovated as a federal courthouse in 2008. These pictures are part of a series of before and after photographs that will run in The Natchez Democrat every Wednesday during 2024 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Historic Natchez Foundation.