YOUNGSTOWN — Reproductions of 13 pieces of the art collection of Benjamin Franklin Wirt, a founding member of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, are on display in public access areas of the Mahoning County Probate Court in the county courthouse.

Probate Judge Robert Rusu Jr. announced the partnership with the historical society last week and invited the public to visit the probate court to view this rarely seen art. It is displayed at the public intake counter and around the clerk’s office.

Wirt was born March 26, 1852, in Youngstown and studied law before being admitted to the bar in 1871. An 1869 graduate of the Rayen School, he later became a state senator in Ohio and was interested in business and real estate.

Known as “gentleman collector,” Wirt was a respected collector of many eclectic items. So much so, he left a trust to build a museum for his massive collection of artwork, books, jewelry and artifacts.

Although that museum never came to fruition, the Wirt family, with permission of Probate Court, agreed to have the collection managed and displayed by the Mahoning Valley Historical Society at the Arms Family Museum. Like many other trusts, The B.F. Wirt Family Trust is overseen by Judge Rusu and the Mahoning County Probate Court.

Judge Rusu asked the Historical Society if it would be possible to display some of the artwork in the Probate Court’s public access area, so it could be viewed by the public and beautify the court. Trustees of the Wirt Family trust, along with the historical society, were delighted to have Judge Rusu handpick 13 pieces of artwork for exhibit.

Wirt wanted the public to see and enjoy the items amassed during his lifetime, said Judge Rusu. “It’s amazing what he collected and a great gift to the community that he left for the citizens of Mahoning County,” the judge said.

The original artwork, with an appraised value of over $100,000, was digitally recreated and then placed into frames and loaned to the court for display. The originals remain in safe storage with the Historical Society.

In addition to visiting Probate Court during normal business hours, the public is encouraged to visit the Arms Family Museum, which has a second-floor room where some of the 3,000 artifacts collected by Wirt during his lifetime are displayed.