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Museum assures no artifacts damaged due to flooding
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Posted on Oct 17 2008
Robert Hunter, executive director of NMI Museum of History and Culture, assured the public yesterday that no valuable or historic artifacts were damaged by floodwaters that inundated the museum Wednesday afternoon.
He said no valuable and historic items were at any time under any threat of being damaged.
“All of the historic artifacts are displayed at a height well above the flood level,” Hunter explained.
Following the rain that flooded the inside floors of the museum, Hunter announced the temporary closure of the area due to minor repairs.
The museum will re-open Tuesday Oct. 21.
Hunter said the museum fielded a number of calls yesterday inquiring about possible damage to the collections.
“As many citizens have donated artifacts to the museum, we want to make sure that they understand that no historic artifacts or objects were harmed by the flooding,” he said.
He said that with the exception of the museum staff’s time to clean up the water and mud, the museum suffered no monetary damage from the flood.
“None of the exhibit furniture was seriously damaged and the only minor work that will be required is some touch up painting,” Hunter explained.
Hunter also clarified that 10 is the lowest average number of visitors per day, with hundreds coming on many days throughout the year.
“Our average number of visitors last year was 37 per day. This figure is based on ‘walk-ins,’ tours and student field trips, averaged out over the course of all of our open days per year,” Hunter explained.
The flooding on Wednesday brought several inches of water and mud into the exhibit area and administrative offices.
The museum staff would be working until Tuesday to remove the water and mud, and re-hang the exhibits over the next several days.
They are also rescheduling all student visits, and presentation activities during this period.
During the flooding, four visitors got stuck inside for about two hours before the heavy rains stopped.
Students from Northern Marianas Colleges were about to enter the premises when they were informed that their trip is cancelled.
