Northeast News
September 6, 2013

Renovations to the Truman Courthouse will be on full display Saturday, Sept. 7, during the re-dedication ceremony.
Elected officials and dignitaries will join Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders in a procession from Main Street to Lexington Avenue in Independence, Mo., at 1:15  p.m. A formal re-dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 2 p.m.  on the south side of the Truman Courthouse, 112 West Lexington Ave. The public is encouraged to attend Saturday’s festivities.

September 7 marks the 80th anniversary of the last re-dedication of the historic courthouse, under the direction of then Presiding Jackson County Judge Harry S. Truman.

Over the past year, significant interior renovations have taken place at the Truman Courthouse, which has now been restored to the integrity of its 1933 design. The historic courthouse will offer various attractions including tours of President Truman’s office and the courtroom where he once worked as Presiding Judge of Jackson County. The courthouse also features an art museum. Various county departments, the Independence Department of Tourism and Jackson County Historical Society will be housed in the courthouse as well.

In addition to County Executive Sanders, other officials expected to take part in the procession and formal ceremony include Senator Roy Blunt, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, former Congressman Ike Skelton and Independence Mayor Don Reimal. Clifton Truman Daniel, the grandson of President Truman will also be in attendance. Ida McBeth will sing the national anthem.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the public will be able to tour the newly refurbished courthouse until 5 p.m. The courthouse will officially re-open to the public for business on Monday, Sept. 16.