Museum director: flood repairs underway, HVAC/plumbing quotes sought; national park transfers historic Abbot Downing coach to county custody

Mark, the museum’s executive director, updated the board on flood damage restoration, repairs and collections management during the May 27 meeting, saying contractor estimates are now with the museum’s insurer and that construction will start after insurer approval.

The executive director reported that air-quality tests in six affected spaces came back negative, though staff still describe lingering odor in the building. Damage from the flood required ‘‘flood cuts’’ of drywall about 2 feet up from floor level in multiple rooms; in some areas contractors removed drywall, insulation and studs, and the museum will need vapor barriers, new insulation, reframed walls, lath-and-plaster repairs and trim replacement. The director said concrete floors in affected areas were bubbled and will need repair.

Mark told the board he has collected quotes for a full HVAC replacement, electrical upgrades to support a new HVAC system, plumbing repairs to restore hot water and additional water/fire-protection work; he said one remaining quote (water and fire protection) was outstanding. The museum has submitted requests to include plumbing and related fixes in Park County’s capital-improvement project list and intends to pursue capital funding if insurer proceeds with restoration; he said the museum will ask county staff (Erica was named in the discussion) whether late additions to the capital projects list are allowable because the quotes arrived after the deadline.

Board members raised operational concerns: the museum currently lacks a safe, ready place to accept new collections into public-storage spaces while repairs are ongoing, so most incoming donations are on hold until reconstruction is complete. Mark said museum staff found temporary county property where the board could store large artifacts.

On collections, Mark reported the National Park has transferred ownership of an Abbot Downing Company stage coach (historically associated with Yellowstone Park Transportation Company), identified in the record as coach number 1003, to county custody. The director said the coach is in good condition, was previously displayed at the Canyon Hotel, and that Park Service deaccession rules prevent selling such items; the park is transferring items to institutions that can provide long-term care. The museum arranged to house the coach temporarily on county property that is dry and out of the way and said it will coordinate next steps with the Wyoming State Museum and other regional institutions where appropriate.

No formal board action was recorded to authorize capital expenditures at this meeting; the director said quotes will be compiled into budget requests and presented as part of the county capital-improvement process. The board asked that staff circulate the remaining vendor quotes and bring an itemized funding request to a future meeting once the outstanding water/fire-protection quote arrives.