■ Officials seeking artifacts for Fairfield courthouse completed in 1911

Solano County’s Old Courthouse, 580 Texas St., Fairfield, is being renovated, and officials at the county Superior Court of California are hoping those who have old artifacts related to the building will allow them to be displayed in its history room, Brian K. Taylor, court executive officer, said.

They’re also interested in showing off any items related to Solano County’s legal history, Taylor said.

“The Old Courthouse is currently undergoing renovation and is expected to reopen in August 2014,” he said.

The 29,900-square-foot courthouse was completed in 1911, he said.

“This beautiful building is one of the few standing historic courthouses in the state of California and is an outstanding example of Beaux Arts architecture,” Taylor said.

As part of the renovation, the Old Courthouse will be getting a History Room on its first floor.

That room will be a small museum that tells the story of the building’s history, as well as that of Solano County’s legal past, Taylor said.

To create displays in the new museum, the court is seeking historic photos and documents related to the Old Courthouse and Solano County, he said.

Retired Judge R. Michael Smith leads the committee that is seeking display items, and he’ll oversee their arrangement in preparation for the Old Courthouse’s grand opening, Taylor said.

“For 60 years, the 1911 Courthouse provided a forum for the resolution of legal disputes in Solano County,” Smith said. “Soon it will be back in service to the people of this county.

“But more than the building itself, its true history is of the people who passed through its doors over those sixty years.”

Once the renovation project concludes, the courthouse will have three courtrooms for civil cases, the civil clerk’s office, civil mediation center, jury assembly room and staff space needed to address civil cases, Taylor said.

Those who have items may either give or lend them to the court, he said.

Gifts are considered tax-deductible donations, he said.

Those with photographs or documents to contribute may contact Taylor by phone at 707-207-7475 or by email at BKTaylor@solano.courts.ca.gov.