Barnum Museum to permanently stabilize iconic dome after tornado

<p>Barnum Museum received a massive delivery of timber beams Thursday to help with restoration efforts after an EF-1 tornado ripped through parts of Bridgeport more than eight years ago.</p>

News 12 Staff

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Jul 12, 2018, 10:13 AM

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Updated 2,113 days ago

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Barnum Museum received a massive delivery of timber beams Thursday to help with restoration efforts after an EF-1 tornado ripped through parts of Bridgeport more than eight years ago.

The museum's iconic dome was badly damaged during the tornado. High winds caused its timber framing to shift and crack, which also caused the roof trust to shift.

The museum is getting two tons of timber beams to help permanently stabilize the dome.

After a damage assessment was conducted in 2013, the museum has been undergoing renovations in phases including the stabilization of the dome.

Temporary support beams were installed a few years ago.

The museum has been around since 1893, two years after P.T. Barnum died.

The curator says the main, historical part of the museum is still closed and can't reopen until the dome is fully stabilized.

All displays are currently in an extension that was built in the 1980s.

The museum's executive director says it takes time and money to get the museum where it needs to be to reopen.

News 12 Connecticut was told it will take about six weeks to stabilize the dome and another several years until the building is fully restored.

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