Archives Office, Closed Down by Flood, to Reopen Tuesday
The National Archives office in the Chet Holifield Federal Building will reopen to the public Tuesday, slightly more than a week after a burst pipe sent water flooding through the office.
National Archives regional director Diane Nixon said water began pouring out of a research room drinking fountain sometime over the Veterans’ Day three-day weekend.
No research materials were damaged because most are stored in boxes at least three inches off the ground.
“They’re all valuable records dealing with the history of this region since 1851, so those are irreplaceable,” Nixon said.
She said between 80 and 100 people use the department’s records each day to trace family trees and study local history. It took a week to repair the damage because carpets and walls had to be dried before the office could be reopened.
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