Courthouse Rendition Coming to DSP

TYLER — A rendition of the historic Smith County Courthouse is coming to Tyler’s Discovery Science Place museum. Museum officials say the exhibit will allow families an environment to explore and learn together about the judicial system and citizens’ rights and responsibilities under the law. The courthouse exhibit will include interior space furnished with a judge’s bench, witness stand, and attorneys’ desks complete with experiential props (i.e. costumes, gavels, etc.). Displays inside the structure will include informational materials to educate on the judicial process, performing your civic duty as a juror, and explanations of what the participants’ duties are during a court session. The exhibit will also explain various sectors of the law that might be most directly applicable to children. Museum officials say this will help to educate museum guests on a variety of aspects of the legal process.

The historic courthouse replica will be used for other purposes as well. Discovery Science Place is creating unique partnerships with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) of East Texas to allow their exclusive use of the exhibit for their needs. These groups will have the opportunity to use the courthouse outside of regular museum hours. Museum staffers say the goal of these partnerships is to provide a safe environment for children to be introduced to the judicial process. According to the staffers, that will better prepare them for court appearances and ensure confidentiality. The courthouse exhibit has been made possible through donations from the Texas Bar Foundation, Smith County Bar Foundation and an anonymous donor.