WOOD COUNTY, Ohio — A northwest Ohio historical landmark is in need of repair after burst radiators resulted in heavy water damage last Tuesday.
Eight radiators burst inside the more than 100-year-old building that houses the Wood County Museum on Dec. 27, according to museum staff.
After the long holiday weekend, museum staff returned to freezing temperatures inside and immediately knew that the boiler system was out. Wind gusts had snuffed out the pilot light, which led to water in the boiler system freezing.
The radiators ruptured and flooded exhibit and collection spaces. No major artifacts were damaged due to the flooding, however, significant damage was done to ceilings, floors and exhibits in multiple rooms.
"I realized the pipes were leaking in my office and I started checking," museum curator Holly Kirkendall said. "I walked into the Bach Room and walked into 6 inches of water."
In a social media post Tuesday, museum staff shared photos of drenched carpet, flooded floors, water seeping through a ceiling and a water-soaked box labeled to contain formal hats.
"One of them (the radiators) actually physically exploded. There's explosion marks on the ceiling upstairs," Wood County Museum director Annette Wells said.
The biggest leaks were in the attic and Wells said the water leaked through the second-floor ceiling and eventually down into the first.
Required repairs include reprinting exhibit signage and updating some of the exhibit rooms.
But on a positive note, many of the artifacts on display were either under glass, inside archival-quality storage cabinets purchased over the summer or were off the ground enough to not see any water damage.
Staff moved quickly to ensure everything was taken care of.
"(It was) 'grab wedding dresses off of mannequins, haul them out as quick as you can,'" Wells said. "And that's the way we were able to preserve the artifacts. So we really didn't lose any artifacts, thank goodness."
At the time of the incident, the museum was already closed to the public because of the holidays, with a planned reopening on Feb. 1 that now will be delayed.
The hope is that the insurance company can get in to evaluate the damage this week or next, staff said. The expectation is it could take a few months to repair all of the water damage.
Wells said that while insurance should cover repair costs, the historical society may have to rely on museum members, volunteers and donors to help rebuild.
"Where we probably fall short (on money) is with the exhibits," Wells said, "because those are not under the county policy, since they're not a physical part of the building like the radiators are."
The building is owned by the Wood County commissioners, but the museum is operated by the Wood County Historical Society.
You can donate to the museum or become a member by going to the Wood County Historical Society's website at woodcountyhistory.org.
The Wood County Museum opened in 1975 at the historic site of the former Wood County Infirmary, which was built in 1868. The infirmary closed in 1971 after 103 years.
The museum is located at 13660 County Home Rd. in Bowling Green.
