The building was opened as a museum center in October 2003 under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Lexington-Fayette Urban-County Government (Lexington, Ky.) and the Commonwealth of Kentucky that stipulated the municipal government would spend a "minimum $1,000,000" to renovate the Old Fayette County Courthouse as the Lexington History Museum—an amount that was never fulfilled. After evicting the Museums (see below) from the building, the city has committed to spending $30 million to renovate the building for commercial space. The Lexington History Center was formerly host to several museums: • The
Lexington History Museum showcases numerous exhibits regarding Lexington's history, and offers programs tailored to all ages. Following the closure of the history center, the Lexington History Museum utilized empty spaces in downtown and created pocket museums to house its exhibits. The
Lexington History Museum reopened to the public on August 26, 2023, at 210 North Broadway in the auditorium of the historic Thomas Hunt Morgan House. This reopening allows the museum to welcome visitors back to the beginning of a reimagined museum. • The
Lexington Public Safety Museum opened on November 20, 2004. The museum features exhibits that explore the history of Lexington's police, fire and corrections and those that gave the ultimate sacrifice and became Fallen Heroes. The Public Safety Museum has not reopened in a new location. • The
Kentucky Renaissance Pharmacy Museum is dedicated to the early history of
Bluegrass region pharmacies. It has reopened in
Frankfort. • The Isaac Scott Hathaway Museum, focusing on local African American history. == See also ==