The Lexington History Museum is located in the Old Fayette County Courthouse, which is located next to Cheapside Park in the center of downtown Lexington. The building was built in 1899 and first used as a courthouse in 1900, and used as such until 2001.  The 40-year effort of community leaders led by Kentucky's Historian Laureate, Dr. Thomas D. Clark, was fulfilled with the opening of a long sought local history museum in the Old Courthouse in the center of downtown Lexington in the Fall of 2003. The Lexington History Museum has four main galleries, as well as a reception gallery and the original courtroom located on the third floor of the building. Lexington's history is seen throughout the building in each exhibition and even from the windows looking down on the courthouse square.