The McDonald County Historical Society was established in 1963 and under its guidance the old courthouse has been restored and turned into a museum focused on the history of the county.McDonald County Historical Society Website: http://www.mcdonaldcohistory.org/museum.html The museum opened to the public in May 2013, though at that time only the downstairs was finished with the upstairs courtroom yet to be restored.Old McDonald County Courthouse to hold grand opening celebration this weekend; The Joplin Globe; May 24, 2013: http://www.joplinglobe.com/news/local_news/old-mcdonald-county-courthouse-to-hold-grand-opening-celebration-this/article_2cb18ecd-af39-5cd9-a048-be89dedf70c2.html But by 2015 the restoration of the upstairs courtroom and county prosecutor's office was complete. The museum is open Fridays and Saturdays during the summer months and includes exhibit areas focused on the 1939 Jesse James film; early county education; the music history of the county, which includes a focus on famed gospel songwriter Albert E. Brumley; local military service; a drug store exhibit; and a restored courtroom and county prosecutor's office.
