Miscellany: Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum

For decades, Palm Beach County dealt with its booming population by jury-rigging annexes, additions, and wraparounds onto the original 1916 courthouse. After the comparatively gigantic main courthouse opened across the street, the County tore down all that stuff and restored the old courthouse into a history museum.

The Johnson History Museum features a rotating themed exhibit room and some permanent exhibits showing what life was like in old PBC. There's also an interesting archive of newspapers and clippings from decades of local newspapers (which I've actually used for investigating a case).

The top floors are occupied by the ceremonial 1916 Courtroom, which is a fun place for mock trials and civic events. Newly enrobed judges typically have their investiture receptions there, connecting a century's worth of history to the present.

All in all, it's a fun place to spend an hour, it's a short walk from the main downtown drag, and it's totally free - well worth a stop.