Dade County dedicates restored courthouse and museum

Dade County officials dedicated the restored Dade County Courthouse and Museum at a public ceremony, Dade County Executive and Board Chairman Don Townsend said.

The ceremony highlighted the building’s role in preserving local history and thanked the community partners who oversaw its restoration. “This courthouse is more than walls and timbers. It is where our history is safeguarded,” Dade County Executive and Board Chairman Don Townsend said. An officiant opened the event with a prayer, concluding, “We dedicate this courthouse and museum to Your glory, both now and forevermore.”

The dedication served primarily as a ceremonial recognition of the completed restoration. Townsend thanked donors, the Historic Preservation Commission, the former and current boards of commissioners, local contractor Blevins Construction Management and architect Bruce Case for their roles in the project. He described the site as “the heart of our heritage, history, hospitality and hometown pride,” and urged the community to view the courthouse as a legacy to pass to future generations.

Speakers did not propose or adopt any ordinances, resolutions or formal county actions during the ceremony. The remarks focused on preservation, gratitude and community stewardship rather than policy or budget decisions.

The event combined a prayer, remarks by county leadership and public acknowledgments of project partners. Townsend and others framed the dedication as both a celebration of the completed restoration and a call for continued stewardship of the site. No vote, appointment, procurement action or formal direction to staff was recorded as part of the ceremony.