Sunday, June 27, 2010

TORNADO HITS BARNUM MUSEUM


Museum Suffers Extensive Tornado DamageNational Weather Service Confirms Tornado
from: news5.com June 25, 2010
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- One of the oldest museums in Bridgeport suffered extensive damage during the tornado that touched down on Thursday afternoon.
Officials at the Barnum Museum said damage could be in the millions of dollars and a special collection that was being prepared to open was damaged.
Beyond concerns that the 19th century museum sustained structural damage, two of its windows also blew out during the tornado on Thursday. The windows are part of the air circulation inside the museum. Officials said after the windows blew out, all the debris outside on the street made its way into the museum and onto artifacts that are irreplaceable.
“Just the amount of glass in the street is unbelievable,” said Executive Director of the Barnum Museum, Kathy Mahr. “It was so dangerous to the point where I had to soak my arms in Epsom salt because I thought I had fiber glass.”
It literary took blood, sweat and tears from Maher and her 5-person staff to attempt to salvage many of the relics. Part of the exhibit that was set to open on July 5, in honor of P.T.Barnum’s 200th birthday.
Barnum’s legacy, of course, is “The Greatest Show On Earth.”
Maher said Barnum’s show must go on in 11 days, despite the fact some items will be missing.
Nothing was completely destroyed during the tornado, but Maher said she will not know the true extent of the damage until professionals come in, carefully peel back protective covers and open frames and cases to get a better understanding of the damage.

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