The Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main Street, Wethersfield, sustained a lightning strike and fire on the evening of October 11, 2007. Lightning struck the base of the cupola and fire damaged the cupola and some slate roofing. Water used to extinguish the fire caused damage to the interior of the building.
While the damage to the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center is serious in terms of both fire damage to the cupola and roofing, as well as the water damage to the interior walls, ceilings and flooring, the Town and the society are very fortunate in that there was no significant damage to the museum collections or exhibits.
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Wethersfield Historical Society is deeply appreciative of the dedication and professionalism of the fire fighters and key Town of Wethersfield staff who responded to this emergency, as well as the countless volunteers, friends and professional colleagues who provided assistance in the hours immediately following the fire.
The society’s most sensitive artifacts have been removed to alternative storage as a precaution against the conditions that currently exist within the building. The exhibit “V for Victory: Wethersfield and World War II” has been dismantled and loaned objects will be returned to contributors over the coming weeks, with our sincere gratitude.
The society anticipates a full recovery of normal operations at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center. Recovery and restoration are currently underway and full museum and cultural center operations are expected to resume in the near future. Wethersfield Historical Society will operate an interim Visitor Center and Museum Shop at the Old Academy, 150 Main Street, Wethersfield, during the restoration period. The Old Academy will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. from Monday through Saturday, and from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Sunday. The Old Academy also houses the society offices and public research library.
All inquiries concerning the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center programs, operations and rentals may be directed to the society offices at 860.529.7656 or to weth.hist.society@snet.net.
