VAN WERT, OHIO -
The Van Wert County Common Pleas Courtroom is getting a blast from the past.
County commissioners and Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Judge Charles Steele are restoring the courtroom to the way it once was. That means recreating a stained-glass dome which was covered by a suspended ceiling. One commissioner says workers built the suspended ceiling back in the 1950's because they thought it would bring out the acoustics and save energy. However, commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger says they covered up the beauty of the tin ceiling and sawed off the rich carved oak medallions that once sat in the middle of the archways. Lichtensteiger sees historical value in preserving the courtroom.
Lichtensteiger says the total cost of the project is 1.1 million dollars. It's expected to be completed around October or November.
