REMEMBERING HISTORY — This is a rendering of a historical display planned for the lobby of the Jefferson County Courthouse to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday. The display, which would be changed every two weeks, was approved by the commissioners Thursday. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County commissioners have decided to turn the reception area in the courthouse lobby into a “living, rotating museum” celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial — and local history — for at least the next year.

The project, the brainchild of Jefferson County’s America 250 committee, was approved by the commissioners Thursday and will open in January. Every two weeks a new display will go up, each one highlighting a different decade and telling the stories of people who helped shape the course of local history — like Jonas Groves, Daniel Collier, Alice Morse, James Shane, Koonay Shekellamy, the Roper Brothers, Thomas Cole and others who “shaped our culture, defended our nation or helped define the American Dream.”

Committee members say there also will be a weekly tribute to a local soldier “honoring those who wore the uniform and carried our values into conflicts near and far.”

“This way, we’ll have captured all 25 decades — 250 years of history here in Jefferson County,” committee member Aaron Dodds said. “We’ll be working with the local museums — we’ve already talked with Historic Fort Steuben and the Smithfield Historical Society. They have displays that would come in and rotate. It’s going to be a comprehensive history of the county, highlight different stories that really help tell the narrative Jefferson County and invoke some pride and sense of place back into the community.

“I think it will be a good reminder for people here in the county of the history they are part of and the ripple effect decisions made here in the building have,” he added.

Also serving on the committee are Commissioner Tony Morelli and Smithfield resident Jodee Verhovec.

Dodds said the committee envisions it as a free-standing insert — a “classical-style installation crafted as refined walnut-stained cabinetry — that would complement courthouse architecture.” He said they’d use laminate flooring laid in a double herringbone pattern that can be installed without altering the historic structure, keeping it “low-impact and cost effective.” DeNoon Lumber has donated wood for the display, and the committee is hoping for more “donations, sponsorships and partnerships with private citizens and local organizations.”

He said rotating displays throughout the year “will ensure the museum remains fresh, dynamic and deeply engaging,” and will allow the committee to partner with local historical societies, private collectors and museums throughout the county while “encouraging and motivating people to visit museums and historical sites throughout the county.”

Dodds said the display could be removed at the end of the anniversary year or, if commissioners prefer, remain in the lobby permanently.

He said anyone who’d like to donate can contact the commissioners at (740) 283-8500 or e-mail him at adodds@jeffersoncountyoh.com