ST. LOUIS — The historic Old Courthouse in Downtown St. Louis will reopen to the public in May after extensive renovations.

Some upgrades include a new elevator and ramps to allow more accessibility for visitors.

This was the final phase of the $380 million City-Arch-River project, according to Ryan McClure, executive director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation.

“We are just so thrilled to welcome those schoolchildren, those visitors from St. Louis and around the country back into this building,” he said.

Visitors and students will once again be able to experience an 1850s courtroom and re-enact mock trials in the “See You in Court” gallery.

It features new murals that focus on the importance of the courts, the legal structure and the daily activities in the courthouse from 1839 to 1930.

The Old Courthouse is known for the historic Dred Scott case. One of the new galleries called “Dred and Harriet Scott,” features the Scotts’ fight for freedom.

It also includes how the case is relevant today.

The “Pathways to Freedom” gallery explores African American life in St. Louis, such as slavery, enslaved individuals seeking freedom, post-Civil War civil rights and more.

Additionally, the “Designed for Justice” gallery showcases the architectural features of the courthouse and the innovation of architects, artists, builders and craftsmen.

The new exhibit galleries were created by Haley Sharpe Design in partnership with the Gateway Arch National Park staff.

Jennifer Clark, museum curator for the Gateway National Park, said one of her favorite aspects of the Old Courthouse is the Dred Scott gallery. She remembers the courthouse’s first temporary exhibit about the Dred Scott case.

“Now, with the help of Lynne Jackson, a direct descendent of Dred Scott, we’re able to look at it more through the eyes of a human being of a family and their struggle,” she said.

Other renovations include new windows, doors, ceilings, flooring, heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, fire suppression system and decorative elements.

Over the course of the project, many surprises were uncovered, according to Jeremy Sweat, Gateway Arch National Park superintendent.

During construction, he said walls that were thought to be hollow had stone and brick in them. Vaulted brick ceilings were uncovered in some of the rooms, among other “quirky” things discovered, Sweat said.

The “Journey to Justice” festival to celebrate the reopening of the Old Courthouse will take place Saturday, May 3, in Kiener Plaza, from 11 a.m. after the ribbon cutting ceremony until 3 p.m. Attendees can stay until 5 p.m. when the building closes.

The festival will include live music, remarks, artists and performers.

Guests can participate in fountain-side chats with Lynne Jackson, the great-great-granddaughter daughter of Dred and Harriet Scott; Jennifer Lewis, St. Louis native and award-winning actress; and Cbabi Bayoc, an internationally recognized visual artist who designed the festival’s theme.