Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum facts for kids
The Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum is a cool place to learn about history in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida. This museum shows off the history of the local area. It has a huge collection with millions of items and pictures. These items tell stories from over 12,000 years of Palm Beach County and Florida history! You can explore different exhibits, both online and in person. There are permanent galleries called "People and Places." Plus, new special exhibits open every fall on the third floor of the old 1916 courthouse. The Historical Society of Palm Beach County runs the museum. You can find it inside a historic 1916 courthouse building at 300 North Dixie Highway.
The Museum's Historic Home
Building the Old Courthouse
The historic "old county courthouse" is where the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum is today. Construction on this building started in 1916 and finished in 1917. For many years, it was the main spot for all county offices. It also had the county's only courtroom. Before this courthouse was built, Palm Beach County offices were in an old schoolhouse in West Palm Beach. The first county official to work in the new building was James M. Owens, the county tax assessor. His deputy, Myrtle Miller, also worked there.
Saving a Piece of History
After World War II began, more parts were added to the courthouse. These additions were built to protect the original building. By 1972, the entire courthouse was surrounded by these new structures. In 2002, there were plans to tear it down. This was a few years after a new courthouse complex opened right across the street.
However, people in the community wanted to save this important piece of Palm Beach County history. They worked hard to preserve it. Because of their efforts, the Board of County Commissioners decided to spend almost $20 million to restore the old building. The restoration work began a couple of years later in 2004. During this project, the wraparound structures that covered the original building were removed. Many other additions were also taken away.
