[MSN] Jane Avoids Rain, Other Burpee Museum Exhibits Ruined

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Jane Avoids Rain, Other Burpee Museum Exhibits Ruined   
 
 
By Smita Kalokhe

Burpee Museum closes it doors temporarily to clean up after storms flood
exhibits. Burpee staff say it could have been worse.

In all, it'll cost between $20,000 and $30,00 to clean up and replace some
of the exhibits. But museum administrators consider themselves lucky since
their prized possession is okay. President Lew Crampton says, "It was not a
bunch of happy campers wandering around here on Saturday."

Heavy rains left 750 gallons of standing water on Burpee Museum's roof. And
it all came pouring in when two drain systems failed. The water rushed
through two holes about six inches in diameter and directly into the Native
American exhibit. Crampton says, "The rugs were very squishy."

Displays in glass cases are okay, but some hands-on works will need to be
replaced. The main concern: Jane. Rockford's favorite dinosaur sits directly
below the Native American collection. "She died in a flood 66 million years
ago, but she survived this one!"

Cleaners drilled holes in walls to make sure mold doesn't build up. There
isn't any structural damage but carpets will need to dry and be cleaned. The
museum could open as early as Friday, but it's already feeling a hit in
revenue. Crampton says, "This is a pretty good season for us. The school
groups are still coming in, but our tourist are starting. We turned away
several groups, several families just this morning."

This isn't the first time the museum experienced water damage. Crampton says
the sprinkler system broke back in 1999. It left 10 feet of standing water
and caused half a million dollars in damages.

Updated: June 4, 2007, 7:22 pm

http://www.wrex.com/

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