WILMINGTON — The centennial of the stately Clinton County Courthouse will be celebrated Saturday with stories, souvenirs, songs and the unveiling of an Ohio historical marker.
Happenings are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the courthouse in Wilmington.
The anniversary celebration starts at 11 a.m. with about an hour of courthouse-related anecdotes presented by seven people serving as storytellers.
Clinton County Commissioners President Brenda K. Woods, an event organizer, said the stories will include a mix of both fun and serious topics. The story-telling location will be in the Common Pleas Courtroom on the third floor.
Next, guided as well as self-guided tours will take place at 12 noon, and again at 2:45 p.m.
At 1 p.m., a state of Ohio historical marker will be dedicated and unveiled outdoors on the lawn facing South Street (U.S. 68). Visiting elected officials and local dignitaries are anticipated to attend.
At 2 p.m., the United Christian Men’s Chorus will present a variety of patriotic music.
Two o’clock also is the time for refreshments.
Throughout the 11 a.m.-3 p.m. celebration, the Clinton County History Center will hold a sale of courthouse anniversary souvenirs and county-related merchandise. They’ll be on the first floor.
The anniversary souvenirs include recycled, amber-colored glass sun catchers that bear an image of the courthouse, a new 46-page booklet that tells the history of all three courthouses the county has had, and DVD videos featuring the courthouse.
Also to be for sale at the History Center booth are old jurors chairs from the courthouse, and the popular Orange Frazer-published coffeetable book packed with photographs of Clinton County titled “A Place Called Home”.
In addition, there will be free items for attendees: postcards, ink pens, and a new courthouse brochure.
And objects made by local woodworker Ralph McKee will be on display at the courthouse. That’s because the items are handcrafted from the big red oak tree that stood tall on Courthouse Square until it was severely damaged by a November 2018 ice storm and later cut down.
The centrally located tree apparently was a descendant of an oak tree at the Mount Vernon, Virginia property of George Washington, as the News Journal reported after the storm.
All departments at the courthouse are expected to be open during the celebration — not that day for their normal county government business, but for guests to drop by.
Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.
