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September 25, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mike North 209-726-2744 or Mike.North@countyofmerced.com
Merced County Celebrates 150th Anniversary of Historic Courthouse, Completion of Exterior Renovation
MERCED COUNTY—Merced County and the Merced County Historical Society/Courthouse Museum invite the community to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the historic Merced County Courthouse on Saturday, October 4, 2025, with a day full of festivities at Courthouse Park. The celebration will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering family-friendly activities, entertainment, performances, and a special ceremony honoring one of the region’s most treasured landmarks.
The event will feature an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. to mark the reopening of the newly renovated Courthouse. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with lively music from the Merced College Musical Ensemble and Cuivre, followed by a variety of cultural performances, including:
- Baile Folklorico
- Hmong traditional dance
- Ballico Taiko
- Merced Boots & Slippers square dance
- UC Merced lion dance
- Dancing horses
In addition to live entertainment, attendees can enjoy free games and food, antique cars and tractors, and guided museum tours showcasing the Courthouse’s history and recent renovations.
“I look forward to joining the community in celebrating the 150-year history of the Courthouse and recognizing its place as a centerpiece of our community,” said Chairman Josh Pedrozo of the Merced County Board of Supervisors. “We invite everyone to join us for what will be a memorable day celebrating our collective history.”
"Merced County Courthouse Museum will open the ‘Old Courthouse: 150 Years, 150 Stories’ exhibit on Saturday, October 4, at 10 a.m.,” said Courthouse Museum Director Sarah Lim. “This year marks the sesquicentennial of Merced’s oldest courthouse, and the exhibit will be the culmination of our yearlong celebration. Since its dedication on May 5, 1875, our Old Courthouse has evolved from the cornerstone of justice to a center of learning. Through uncovering interesting facts, studying important legal cases, and collecting heartwarming personal stories, the Museum has presented an engaging exhibit that highlights our Old Courthouse as a beacon of democracy, a repository of history, and a hub of community."
The Old Merced County Courthouse, built in 1875, is one of California’s oldest and most historically significant courthouses. Its recent renovation preserves its architectural beauty while ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy its cultural and educational value.
For more information about the event or the Courthouse exhibit, please contact the Museum office at 209-723-2401.
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