It was in May 2013 that the first of the renovations re-purposing the old McDonald County Courthouse into the Historic Courthouse on the Square and the home of a museum was unveiled by the McDonald County Historical Society.
It will be on May 23, 2015, when the most recent renovations will on display at History Live, in what has come to be an annual celebration to highlight the old courthouse and museum.
Exhibits that first year included the Dixie Belle Saloon, the Secession Room, Strawberry Room and Military Room. In 2014, the Theater Room, Quilt Hall and the Sheriff's Office and Jail were opened.
This year's opening will include new exhibits downstairs, as well as the unveiling of the old courtroom in the upstairs. The courtroom will include juror's seats, fans and photos. The May 23 opening will be the first day the upstairs is open to the general public. No photos were allowed in order for the courtroom's appearance to be a complete surprise.
The new exhibits downstairs for 2015 include memories of the drug stores in the county throughout the years as well as telephone companies and a music hall.
In order to help pay for some of the restoration work, the Historical Society hosted a benefit dinner and auction on Saturday night at River Ranch Resort in Noel.
About 150 people attended the event which included a silent and live auction as well as a presentation by art students at White Rock School of panels about the history of each of the current schools in the McDonald County School District.
More information on the events and festivities for History Live on May 23 will be announced in the McDonald County Press in coming weeks.
Community on 04/16/2015