What began in late 2006 with questions over the lease of the old courthouse to Old Campbell County Historical Society ended in a unanimous vote by Fairburn City Council Feb. 26 to approve the lease and appoint the organization as curator of the historic building.

The lease calls for the old courthouse to be open to the public at a minimum of one day per week on a day to be established by the city and to have someone available on a 24-hour notice to open the museum on ad “as needed” basis. The lease carries a five-year term with the option of two additional five-year terms.

Concerns were raised in November over the appropriateness of leasing to the historical society due to issues such as the presence of the Confederate flag and other Confederate memorabilia in the old courthouse. Discussion over the proposed lease was addressed at the Feb. 12 council meeting where the board approved the lease renewal, but did not specify the lease terms.

Old Campbell County Historical Society has been the custodian of the courthouse for 36 years. The organization was formed with the assistance of Atlanta Historical Center. The organization led the successful move to have the building placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Society representative Nancy Cornell, council members and others said they would like to see involvement by African Americans, Latinos and anyone interested in preserving the area’s history.

Far from a Fairburn affair, Old Campbell County included what is now south Fulton, Douglas and portions of Fayette counties.

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