History museum remains closed for lightning strike repairs
The Cape Coral Museum of History will remained closed until at least next week as repairs necessitated by a weekend lightning strike continue.
Museum Executive Director Janel Trull said they do not know exactly when the lightning struck, or where, just that it happened either last Saturday or Sunday and cut off major electrical components. The good thing is, the building itself and the historic items it holds are undamaged.
“We do not have evidence of where the strike hit, as there does not appear to be any damage to the buildings or nearby trees thankfully,” Trull said. “The lightning most likely struck the ground nearby and traveled in through the wiring.”
While the museum is thankful there is no cosmetic damage, they did not come away unscathed.
“The lightning took out our cable and phone lines, damaging our modem, the exchange box where the cable and phone lines come into the building, and our phones in the process so all these parts needed to be replaced,” Trull said. “It also damaged a transformer for the alarm and fire system, as well as one of the alarm panels.”
Comcast was out to the location on Tuesday and got the cable and phone lines back up and running, though new phones need to be ordered. Trull said the city is working with the fire and alarm panel companies to make the proper repairs.
The museum is hopeful to reopen next Wednesday, though Trull said it all comes down to when new equipment arrives and is installed.
Trull added, “I am extremely thankful that this is not a more serious manner. The buildings and the collections are all fine. The air conditioning was not damaged so the items are all safe and sound. It is unfortunate that we are unable to open at this time, but it simply is not feasible due to the nature of the repairs needed.”
For more information on the museum, visit www.capecoralmuseum.org.
The Cape Coral Museum of History is at 544 Cultural Park Blvd.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com