Press Releases

Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum Set to Reopen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2009

For additional information, contact:
Nancy Coggins, APR
405.235.3313 or 405.760.9053
nc@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org

Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum Set to Reopen
OKC Thunder will help welcome visitors Saturday, February 7

OKLAHOMA CITY – Following hours and hours of painstaking work, the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum is scheduled to reopen February 7, and the community is rallying to help. A mechanical malfunction caused flooding throughout 10,000 square feet of exhibit space as well as in the Memorial’s Archives and Center for Education & Outreach.

“We’ve turned many people away,” said Kari Watkins, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum executive director. “We know there are people who have traveled to Oklahoma in the last couple weeks just to see the Memorial, and we are disappointed they did not get to experience the story of what happened here in the Museum. We’ve worked hard to get the doors back open as quickly as possible.”

The Museum operates on funds generated through admissions and private donations. It doesn’t receive any government funding to operate or maintain the outdoor site or museum.

Reinstallation

More than 370 artifacts and/or boxes of artifacts were threatened by the flooding. Thanks to the quick actions of Memorial staff and volunteers, no artifacts were lost or damaged. Those that were removed from cases while walls dried and repairs were made are being replaced today, including:

• An elevator panel from the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building
• A blast-damaged door from the Journal Record Building
• A light fixture from the Murrah Plaza
• A glass tile block from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Building
• A piece of plaster molding from the Journal Record Building
• A briefcase belonging to bombing victim Susan Ferrell

An exposed beam that remains from the original building did sustain water damage. Museum officials brought in a plaster conservation expert to stabilize the beam. The Memorial’s goal is not to restore, but to preserve the beam as it was the day of the blast. The extreme amount of water that poured over the beam during the recent flooding caused the plaster to begin to crack and fall and some paint to peel. The conservator is working with a variety of consolidants to stabilize the beam so no further damage occurs. She is using tools including spatulas and veterinary syringes to delicately seal the cracks and secure those pieces in danger of breaking or flaking away from the beam.

Thunder Support and Reopening
The Oklahoma City Thunder is providing vouchers good for tickets to upcoming games for the first 250 paid Memorial Museum admissions this Saturday to celebrate the Memorial Museum’s reopening.

"We are honored to participate in the reopening celebration for the Oklahoma City National Memorial. The Memorial is an important community partner of the Thunder," said Dan Mahoney, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Community Relations, Oklahoma City Thunder. "We are excited it is ready to continue its mission of honoring those who were lost and those whose lives were changed forever."

Thunder players will be on hand Saturday, February 7 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., as the museum reopens to the public to welcome Memorial visitors and sign autographs.

“We so appreciate the community for pitching in and helping us,” said Watkins. “Again, the spirit of resilience surfaced. We are thrilled to be reopening. It’s time for those who have hesitated to see this special place to visit.”

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