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Friends of the Old Martin
County Courthouse envision the restored building becoming a
well-used cultural center for Martin County and the surrounding
area. Serving varied interests, this project can bring area
residents together for entertainment and education and can
attract visitors from around the region.
Local history will be interpreted
through permanent and rotating exhibits of artifacts and
materials which, currently, are not accessible to the public.
Historical, sociological, archeological, sports exhibits and
more will become attractions to tourists and resources to area
students of the subjects, young and old. Special interests can
include Civil War and World War II history, natural history,
genealogy, folk art, local history, famous locals, and
agriculture, fishing and forestry as keystones of local economy.
The work of local
and regional artists and craftsmen will be exhibited. Collections of folk art, which have
been donated to the organization will be on display. The
courtroom's outstanding acoustics offer an intimate setting for
performing arts. The building also provides space for catered meetings,
community gatherings, ceremonies and other events making use of
the catering kitchen, which will be added as part of the
adaptation.
Visitors from around the
country and even a few from other countries have come here to
research their ancestry. The space will allow a more extensive
collection of genealogical records and materials in a highly
appropriate setting.
The Center will be an inviting
location for workshops, seminars and other
educational opportunities. The Friends of the Courthouse envision children and adults
using the facility often for such educational opportunities.
The adaptation of the old Old
Martin County Courthouse to a Cultural Center will become the
first project of its type in the county. The Friends group
intends for it to be inspirational, practical and economically
beneficial to the area as it offers a unique place for many
kinds of special events, attracts visitors from near and far,
and encourages an appreciation of the region's history. By
understanding our place in the past, we can increase our choices
for a better tomorrow, and the Old Courthouse Cultural Center
can play a significant part in this process.
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