On the windy rainy early evening of Oct. 28, the Brownson House at the Shelton History Center sustained severe damage to its roof, which was under repair, the ceilings and walls of four front rooms, and its main collection storeroom in the basement.
Quick action by some members of the Huntington and White Hills Fire Departments diverted water away from historic furnishings, while others carefully moved artifacts to dry places in the 193-year-old house.
The most delicate items in the collection at the Shelton Historical Society and the ones most affected by the incident are the documents that got wet. While there are many papers housed in vertical files within cabinets, other odd- sized letters, diaries, scrapbooks, and manuscripts are stored in document boxes that were on shelves in the main storeroom.
“It is unknown at this time how many of these boxes and their contents were damaged,” explains Marty Coughlin, President. “Right now, the curator, librarian, director, and volunteers are assessing to see what will have to be sent for conservation. It will be a very time consuming process. There was at least one piece of furniture that was damaged as well.”
Museums are required to have disaster plans but they hope never to use them. While Shelton Historical Society had supplies on hand, and had identified its most important objects, it’s the people who pitch in to help that provide the most valuable tools. Historian and local resident Rob Novak and Kathy Craughwell Varda, coordinator of Co-Steps, a coordinated state-wide emergency planning advisory group for cultural and heritage sites offered immediate advice. Restoration specialists have been on site. Plaster walls and ceilings will need repair.
Professionals from other museums around the state have generously offered to assist with clean-up efforts.
School groups that were scheduled to participate in programs over the next week have been canceled. The buildings will be closed to visitors for the foreseeable future.
“More than ever right now, we need the community’s support,” says Tracey Tate, Director. “Hopefully insurance will take care of the repairs to the building, but for the documents and objects that need to be sent to professionals for conservation treatment, we hope our friends and neighbors will step in with donations to help. It’s these documents that tell the tales.”
Support for treatments to damaged collection items can be sent to Shelton Historical Society, P.O. Box 2155, Shelton, CT 06484. Mark checks “disaster relief.”
For more information please visit http://www.sheltonhistoricalsociety.org/emergency-help.html or click here to visit a Go Fund Me page set up to benefit the historical society.
