The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents free events for children on the first and third Saturdays of each month.

Free Nature Walk and Kids’ Murder Mystery at the Museum

On Saturday, September 3, 2022, museum staff will lead “Turtle Trek,” a kids’ nature walk at Cooter Pond. Meet at 10:00am to be led on a walk across the street to Cooter Pond to see local wildlife and hear about different species and their behaviors. Children will receive free kids’ binoculars, while accompanying adults may want to bring their own.

On Saturday, September 17, 2022, staff will host a free Kids’ Murder Mystery at the Museum – a perfect way to segue into this fall’s spooky season. Families will hunt for clues to solve a whodunnit mystery. Sessions will begin at 10:00am, 12:00pm, and 2:00pm.

Families who visit may want to plan for extra time to see the permanent exhibits on local prehistory and pioneer history. On display now is photographer Clyde Butcher’s “America the Beautiful,” an exhibit of larger-than-life photographs of landscapes from wild places across the country.

The historic courtroom is the site of county business and the location of the filming of the final scenes in Elvis’s 1961 film, “Follow That Dream.” A museum volunteer recently arranged the courtroom scene from the movie for visitors to see complete with props and photos, which will remain on display long term. The gift shop offers a wide array of Elvis souvenirs and interesting books ranging from children’s genres, historical fiction, and local history.

In addition to taking in what the museum has to offer, visitors will also be able to enjoy a farmer’s market on the first and third Saturdays in Downtown Inverness at The Depot.

Parents and guardians should pre-register for these events by calling the museum at (352) 341-6428.  Children must be supervised by their accompanying adults during the entirety of each of these programs. For more information, e-mail museum@citrusbocc.com.

The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum is dedicated to the active collection and presentation of the diverse cultural and natural heritage of Citrus County and adjacent areas.

The Inverness Cultural Heritage Council, a d.b.a. of the Citrus County Historical Society, Inc. (a non-profit organization) always appreciates donations which go toward the cause of retaining history and hosting museum events. The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum is the historic courthouse building with the clock tower, located on the square in Downtown Inverness. The address is 1 Courthouse Square Inverness, FL 34450.  Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, closed on Sundays and Mondays.

The museum is a historical gem at the heart of Downtown Inverness. The proud structure has stood for over 100 years, and although the business of the court is no longer transacted here, it is still an important pillar to the community. It is a place of learning, a community space, and most especially, an entertainment venue. The fully restored 2nd floor courtroom recalls the majesty of turn-of-the-century architecture and design and provides an intimate and unforgettable setting for fun company, and magnificent music.