[CPProt.net] This hurricane season, cultural institutions take time to protect valuables

[Ellie Bruggeman]

This hurricane season, cultural institutions take time to protect valuables
 
Toulouse-Lautrec originals can hardly be replaced. Neither can Pig Boy, 
the largest puffer fish in captivity. Just ask folks at Palm Beach 
County museums.

Whether it's valuable works of art or endangered animals, local art 
houses and attractions have been taking measures to keep their treasures 
safe as the heart of hurricane season approaches.

Last season's repeat storms, some cultural officials say, got them 
thinking about protection early on. A number of venues faced millions of 
dollars in hurricane damage and lost revenue.

The 2005 hurricane season already has yielded an unprecedented seven 
named storms, making it the ninth above-average season in 11 years, 
according to weather officials.

For museums and cultural venues, planning is the key.

"It's not `A hurricane is coming. What are we going to do?' any more," 
said Joe Gillie, executive director of Old School Square Cultural Arts 
Center in Delray Beach. "There is definitely a hurricane plan, and now 
after four hurricanes it's like clockwork."

The National Endowment for the Arts recently announced a grant for 
Florida to help cultural institutions recover from the hurricanes.

Rena Minar Blades, president and CEO of the Palm Beach County Cultural 
Council, said the county was one of six recipients, receiving $20,000, 
the largest amount allocated to a county by the NEA. A council review 
panel will designate the funds.

Some of the hardest-hit venues in Palm Beach County were the Loxahatchee 
River Historical Museum in Jupiter and the South Florida Science Museum 
and the Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park, both in West Palm Beach.

The Loxahatchee River Historical Museum is dealing with more than 
$200,000 in damage, including its roof. It houses one-of-a-kind 
antiques, including authentic pioneer clothing and decades-old canoes.

"We are not taking any chances," curator Michael Zaidman said, adding 
that most of the museum's collection is in storage.

The museum is responsible for the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, which was 
spared from damage.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, 
which sustained major damage with water seeping into Dreyfoos Hall and 
the Cohen Pavilion, made temporary repairs in order to get its season 
launched.

"We are working construction in and around our summer performances," 
Brian Bixler, a Kravis Center spokesman, said.

No other local attraction felt the wrath of hurricane season like the 
zoo. The storms toppled about 200 trees, including several huge ficus 
that blocked walking paths. Winds wiped out an amphitheater and two 
centers for children's activities and educational outreach.

The price tag for repairs was more than $1 million, including employee 
salaries during the two months the zoo was closed.

The zoo spent $100,000 on re-landscaping alone, Debbie Weymss director 
of development, said. Zoo employees worked from home or rented trailers 
for months because rain seeped into their offices.

Overall, hurricane-related stress killed an otter, some waterfowl, 
Japanese koi and two toucans, officials said.

Between the two hurricanes, more than 600 volunteers helped rake and 
pick up debris.

The zoo's hurricane relief funds raised more than $6,000.

The South Florida Science Museum also made its way back with the help of 
volunteers.

After almost losing its roof, its outdoor science trail and almost one 
month of revenue, the museum again is fully functional.

"Our outdoor exhibits have been restored to as good as or better then 
they were before," said Jim Rollings, executive director. "We had a good 
deal repaired by volunteers."

Protecting the museum's 8,000-gallon aquarium, home to Pig Boy, the 
largest Puffer fish in captivity, Rollings said, is a major priority 
during a storm.

The museum is looking into alternative energy sources to keep the 
aquarium's filters running when even the generator goes out.

"I have no doubt that people are taking preparations more seriously," 
Rollings said. "We had lived in a world of protection for several 
decades. Nobody was set up for four hurricanes."

Ivette M. Yee can be reached at imyee at sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6538.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-phprep10aug10,0,126798.story?coll=sfla-news-palm