Merced County to Host Groundbreaking Ceremony for Courthouse Museum Remodel

At 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11, Merced County will host a groundbreaking ceremony for its renovation of the Courthouse Museum at the corner of 21st and N streets in Merced.

The ceremony, which will be located directly outside the Courthouse Museum, will mark the commencement of the project to restore the exterior of the historic building that has slowly deteriorated over the years. This work will maintain the building's structural integrity and long-term sustainability, with future phases planned to repair portions of the interior.

The work is being accomplished primarily through a $2 million federal appropriation secured by Congressman Jim Costa, coupled with $1 million set aside by the Board of Supervisors, $500,000 from the California Natural Resources Agency, and $50,000 from the Merced County Historical Society.

Supervisor Josh Pedrozo, whose District 2 includes the Courthouse Museum, said this project comes at an ideal time.

"Restoring the Merced County Courthouse Museum not only preserves a symbol of our community, it also preserves an institution of history and learning," Pedrozo said. "I'd like to thank Congressman Costa, the Historical Society, and everyone else who made this project possible."

Congressman Costa, who helped secure funding for the renovation, said he takes pride in knowing the Courthouse Museum will be maintained for future generations.

"The Merced County Courthouse Museum is frequented by residents, historians, and school children wanting to learn about what brought us to where we are today," Costa said. "I'm excited to have played a role in this important community project."

The Merced County Courthouse Museum is one of the oldest buildings in California and is an icon of the County. Built in 1875, the building served as a courthouse for 100 years until 1975. During that timeframe, it also housed offices for several County departments, including the Board of Supervisors, Treasurer-Tax Collector, Auditor-Controller, Parks and Recreation, and others.

The building was designed by A.A. Bennett, who also worked on the California State Capitol. A nearly identical courthouse was built an hour south in Fresno County, but was later demolished. Designed to resemble an Italian palazzo, the structure features a white plaster exterior and incorporates a portico with a balcony on the south side as well as cupola on top. The Merced County Courthouse Museum is considered the best example of Italian Renaissance Revival remaining between Sacramento and Los Angeles.

The December 11 groundbreaking ceremony will include the assembly of a 100-year time capsule that will be located on the Courthouse Museum grounds.