The next event in the celebration of the Greene County courthouse centennial will mark the laying of the cornerstone on May 15. The Courthouse 100 committee and the Greene County Historical Society will collaborate on an event Sunday, May 15, exactly 100 years after a ceremony placing the cornerstone.
At that 1916 event, a time capsule was put into the cornerstone. That time capsule will not be opened, as that would require demolition of the northeast corner of the building. However, the Courthouse 100 committee hopes to place a time capsule in the ground nearby, with items comparable to the items in the first time capsule.
Don Van Gilder, chair of the committee, briefed the county board of supervisors at their Jan. 11 meeting. Van Gilder said the committee may ask for financial help from the county, once costs are known.
He told the supervisors the Courthouse 100 committee plans to ask the Greene County Community Foundation to help fund palm cards for the courthouse and the cost involved in professional logo design. He requested a letter of support for the grant application.
The Courthouse 100 committee gratefully received from Terry Rich the proceeds from sales at a book signing of his memoirs held in the courthouse rotunda last month. That will cover matching funds needed for the grant.
The largest event marking the centennial will be a gala in October 2017. He said the committee may request county funds for the gala, which will be in fiscal year 2018. “If this group energy is any indication at this point in time, the gala is going to be something you won’t want to miss. We’re going to have a good time,” Van Gilder said.
Members of the Courthouse 100 committee are Don and Jean Van Gilder, Emily Brewer, Peggy Erickson, Denise O’Brien Van, Chuck Offenburger, Mike and Dianne Piepel, Tori Riley, Hollie Roberts, supervisors Guy Richardson and Dawn Rudolph, and Mary Weaver.
