Public Invited to Grand Opening of 1916 County Court House

For immediate release: March 5, 2008
Contact: Public Affairs (561) 355-2754

The County’s Department of Public Affairs is hosting the grand-opening ceremony of the 1916 County Court House.  The event is free and open to the public.

The ceremony will take place at the new Palm Beach County Courthouse in the atrium where guests will have a background view of the 1916 County Court House to the east.

The program will start with opening remarks by County Commissioner Addie L. Greene and includes the Santaluces Community High School choir performing the national anthem.   After brief comments at the podium by invited speakers, guests will walk across the street to the historic Court House steps for the ribbon cutting.  The artwork depicted on the ribbon was created by the students from Palm Beach County elementary, middle and high schools who were winners of the History Through Art contest.  This art was displayed on the construction fence for three years when the Court House was being restored.
Traffic will be closed on Dixie Highway to accommodate guests and a display of antique cars from the early 1900s presented by Sunny T’s of South Florida Ford Model T Club.  The West Palm Beach Historic Trolley will offer 20-minute tours of nearby historic sites.  The trolley stop will be at the corner of 3rd Street and N. Dixie Highway where passengers can climb aboard.

Items from the new Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum gift shop will be for sale in a tent along Dixie Highway, and light refreshments reminiscent of the early days of the historic Court House will be provided.  James Ponce, esteemed local historian and portrayer of Henry Flagler, will join the festivities complete with top hat, pocket watch and walking cane.

From 3 to 5 p.m., Court House tours will be conducted of the building and the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum.
For information on the Court House restoration, visit the Palm Beach County Web site, www.pbcgov.com, and click on “1916 Court House.”

Street closing: Traffic will be closed from noon to 7 p.m. on Dixie Highway between 3rd St. and Banyan Blvd. and on 3rd St. between Dixie Highway and N. Olive Ave.

Parking: available in the 4th Street parking lot.