Rising waters close Circus World Museum The Circus World Museum in Baraboo is closed today, with officials watching the rising waters on the Baraboo River, which runs through the grounds of the historic site.
Officials have also moved circus wagons that had been near the river to higher ground as a precaution.
The decision was made last night, when waters on the river were expected to rise three-to-four feet by this morning.
Officials plan to reassess the situation today before deciding whether to open the museum tomorrow.
Meanwhile, many attractions in the Wisconsin Dells area - where Lake Delton was essentially drained yesterday when the lake carved its own channel to the river - are to reopen in the days ahead.
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4 comments:
Good that people and the moveable wagons are taken care of but what about any disaster plans for the remainder of the museum collections--on exhibit and in the library? Has the museum ever drafted a written disaster plan for use in such situations?
Dick Flint
Baltimore
The good news is the library is very high,it's at the top of the hill and the highest part of the grounds.Same with the wagon building. The orginal Ringling buildings are at somewhat of a risk if the water does rise alot more.
The majority of the actual historical physical collections, other than the wagons are stored in the Robert L Parkinson Library and Research Center at Circus World Museum. The History of this structure is that the brick and concrete commercial structure was originally built in the late 1950's as the new office, bottling house and garage for the Effinger Beer Company of Baraboo. When the Effingers quit the business the building, being located next to Circus World became available and the wise management at the times decided this would make an excellent library and collections center. At this time the only exposed area of the building is the window and door at the entrance to the building. All other surfaces and areas are brick and concrete or re-enforced doors. The building is also at least thirty five feet above the Baraboo River and that is the basement level with the main floor which houses the majority of the paper, photographic and memorabilia collection another 18' above the basement. As for Museums of this size there is not a much better situation or facility in use. The other great thing about Baraboo is because of it's unique physical natural location the area does not normally ever receive tornados. Very seldom does great winds or bad storms that can actually do considerable damage "drop" into the valley. That is one of the reasons I continue to live here. Yes the Big Top blew down a couple of years ago but considering how many years Circus World has been on the Baraboo River, over 50, look at the track record of damage or difficulties that have resulted in any damage to the Circus World area. We are still fine here in Baraboo and the water level is just about ready to start going down. Ralph from Baraboo
What about the Feld building with its current display of numerous unique and priceless lithos--not to mention the early 20th century spec costumes (and entire backdrop for one spec) and other assorted objects and paper ephemera? It's on the same level as the Ringlingville buildings. And are objects in addition to rail cars still stored in the car barns and are they at flood risk? Tornados, incidentally, prefer to follow water paths like rivers! The important question remains, does the museum have a written disaster plan?
Thanks, Ralph, for the info--I worked in the Effinger building the first or second year after the library moved there. Chappie, who was still director my first year there, proudly said the same things you repeated as to why they wanted the building.
As to storms, I remember staying at the Gaugers at the start of my second summer until I found a room to rent. I swear I woke up early one morning 4 feet off the bed to a clap of thunder. You grow your storms big in Baraboo! Good luck to all of you in Sauk County!
Dick Flint
Baltimore
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