The Panhandle-Plains Historic Museum (PPHM) is closed to the general public indefinitely on account of fireplace and life security considerations, following an inspection by the State Hearth Marshal’s Workplace.
West Texas A&M College President Walter V. Wendler made the choice to shut the ability, situated on the WT campus in Canyon, instantly and till additional discover after the inspection revealed important and ongoing issues of safety with the museum’s buildings, WT introduced Monday.
“We can not ignore the seriousness of the hearth and life security dangers posed by the present museum buildings,” Wendler stated. “Since my arrival, I’ve been working to search out options and tackle the continuing challenges with the museum. Sadly, we now have not but discovered a workable answer.”
As seen on this September 2024 file photograph, WT unveiled a imaginative and prescient to modernize its near a century previous Panhandle-Plains Historic Museum in Canyon. The college has closed the museum till additional discover on account of security considerations.
Chuck Allen, assistant state fireplace marshal, emphasised that the violations pose critical security dangers and have to be addressed promptly.
“We have now spoken with President Wendler in regards to the ongoing violations and issues with the present museum constructions,” Allen stated. “President Wendler’s determination to shut the museum whereas corrective motion is taken aligns with our advice.”
WT stated a few of the fireplace marshal’s considerations have already been addressed, however others, similar to putting in sprinklers, eliminating dead-end hallways, and guaranteeing accessible exits all through the constructing, would require substantial funding and renovations.
The museum opened within the Thirties and has since served the WT group and Texas Panhandle and past for almost a century.
Heather Friemel, interim government director of the Cultural Basis of the Texas Panhandle (CFTP), which oversees the museum underneath WT’s umbrella, expressed the museum workers’s dedication to resolving fast points.
“The museum workers has labored diligently to handle instantly solvable points,” Friemel stated.
Renovations required to fulfill fireplace and security requirements are estimated to value almost $100 million. WT officers employed an engineering agency to current options to the recognized security considerations.
Whereas the constructing stays closed, Friemel emphasised that the museum’s instructional mission will proceed, with the museum’s outreach applications, together with a transportable planetarium and academic trunks for Okay-12 college students, remaining in place.
Wendler, who has been addressing the museum’s challenges since his appointment in 2016, has labored to safe extra state funding. Just lately, he obtained funds from Texas A&M College System Chancellor John Sharp for a feasibility study to explore the construction of a new museum building, with the projected value reaching $150 million.
As beforehand reported, the research, carried out by DLR Group and Gallagher & Associates, recognized crucial areas for enchancment in fireplace security, artifact preservation, and the customer expertise. The plan proposed sustaining Pioneer Corridor — a registered landmark with the Texas Historic Fee — whereas demolishing different present constructions and setting up two new buildings linked by a glass bridge.
“The protection of our guests, workers, and collections is our high precedence,” Wendler stated. “I’ll proceed to work with stakeholders to protect this important Texas treasure.”
The museum, which has been showcasing the historical past of Texas since 1932, homes greater than 2 million artifacts and is a key instructional useful resource for the area.
Mark Bivins, chair of the CFTP, reaffirmed his dedication to preserving the museum.
“President Wendler and I’ll proceed to boost consciousness and enchantment for help to protect Texas’ largest historic assortment,” Bivins stated.
The museum’s final main renovation occurred in 1983.
It is a creating story; extra data can be added because it turns into accessible.
This text initially appeared on Amarillo Globe-Information: PPHM closed until further notice for fire marshal’s safety concerns
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