County Commission Receives Honors from Historical Society

For immediate release: April 30, 2008
Contact: Public Affairs • (561) 355-2754

	Deputy County Administrator Verdenia Baker accepts the Judge James R. Knott Award from Historical Society Chairman of the Board Harvey Oyer. « Previous | Next »

The Board of County Commissioners received the 2007 Judge James R. Knott Award from the Historical Society of Palm Beach County. The board was recognized for saving the 1916 County Court House from destruction, providing funds for its restoration and granting space to the Historical Society for the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum and offices. Deputy County Administrator Verdenia Baker accepted the award on behalf of the commissioners at the society’s annual membership meeting held at St. Ann’s School on April 29.The esteemed award is named for the late Honorable Judge James R. Knott who served as President of the Historical Society from 1957 to 1969.

The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) voted to restore the courthouse in April 2002, and they allocated funding. In February 2003, the BCC voted to grant space in the Court House to the Historical Society. Removal of the wraparound façade and demolition of the annex and its connecting structure began in January 2004. The county commissioners authorized the restoration contract in September 2005, and the Notice to Proceed was issued in January 2006.The restoration was completed in November 2007.

Every year since 1989, the Judge James R. Knott Award has been given to recognize the achievements of an individual or organization that has contributed to the preservation, promotion or enrichment of Palm Beach County history.The Palm Beach County Commissioners join the list of distinguished awardees that includes Yesteryear Village (2006), The Henry Morrison Flagler Museum (2005), The Palm Beach Post (2004) and the late Judge Marvin Mounts (2003).