[February 15, 2016]      

Pictures by Nila Smith

 

Barbara Stroud-Borth smiles for the camera as Bob McQue in the background bids farewell to visitors at the Mount Pulaski Courthouse on Friday afternoon. The courthouse was open and offering refreshments in celebration of Abraham Lincoln's 207th birthday. Stroud-Borth and other volunteers offered up tours of the courthouse while McQue entertained guests with jokes and stories of Mr. Lincoln and other notable Civil War people. X

 

Inside the courthouse, there are some more recent additions to the displays including women's garments and a Civil War uniform.

 

The Courthouse Foundation is still working hard to get a new roof and structural repairs done on the courthouse in the near future.

 

According to Stroud-Borth, the state budget impasse has at the least slowed down the process, but the Foundation is prepared to move forward alone if it must. She said that there would be a day for would-be contractors to examine the building in the next week or so. Afterward, there will be bid letting for the job. Because the courthouse is a state historic site, the state is involved in the entire process, regardless of who foots the bill.

She also noted that when the work does start, the second floor of the building will have to be closed, and the furnishings will have to be removed. Those furnishings will have to be stored in a state-approved location.