As the building at 117 S. Fountain Ave. is closed due to Gov. Mike DeWine’s stay-at-home order, it’s led to staying in touch with the public by virtual means and looking back on the events from a year ago with thanks to those who helped.
“It’s déjà vu, different but almost the same, eerily similar,” said Heritage Center CEO Roger Sherrock. “We’re trying to adapt more using social media and thinking about what the public wants.”
Saturday, April 25 marks the one-year anniversary of the water disaster that started on the third floor that left the research archives, second floor artifact storage area and administrative offices and first floor area containing the Springfield Arts Council’s offices and un Mundo Café damaged.
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The building’s galleries were unharmed, though closed for a month as other artifacts were moved from the damaged areas.
The restoration work continued through the end of 2019 and included replacing walls, floors and ceilings, some of the electric, administration offices and new lighting in the collections area.
Although the collection’s artifacts survived, Natalie Fritz, curator of library and archives a six-year inventory was undone.
But new boxes that would’ve needed replacing were brought in and the organization system refigured for the better and freeing up space.
“Now with all new paint and carpet it looks really nice,” said Fritz. “As we moved past the frenzied preservation and recovery work that characterized much of 2019, 2020 seemed to promise a light at the end of the tunnel.”
The new year brought touch-ups and the Arts Council moved back into its offices following a temporary stay at the Springfield Museum of Art.
Enough restoration was finished to allow some of the Historical Society’s biggest attractions to return including a Wizard’s Ball in October and SantaLand in December. Just a few weeks ago, the annual Civil War Symposium was held, although two presenters were unable to travel due to early pandemic restrictions.
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The building is also getting a new HVAC system.
The Clark County Historical Society discussed a “thank you” party to welcome the public, volunteers and workers who contributed to the revitalization to mark the anniversary of the water disaster, but the pandemic forced the building’s closure.
“Everything is on hold. We have limited staff and are working from home,” Fritz said.
The goal is to stay connected with the public, learning from what other museums and organizations are doing and having virtual meetings. While eager to reopen its doors, Sherrock said the Heritage Center will conform to what’s safe as the staff looks at ways to engage the public online.
Senior curator Kasey Eichensehr is researching the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. There may also be public discussions over formats such as Zoom with subjects like what to do with the former Crowell-Collier Building sight. Sherrock said there was a popular presentation a year ago on Crowell-Collier that could be part of an ongoing online lecture series.
“The things we’re doing we’re optimistic about and maybe we can reach more people even outside of Springfield,” he said.
For updates on the Heritage Center and online presentations, go to www.facebook.com/clarkcountyhistory.
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