Cleanup continues at Glen Ellyn History Center

Early on Friday morning, the Glen Ellyn Police Department received an alarm from the security system at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St.

Upon investigating, they found that a four-inch pipe from the fire suppression system had burst and water was rushing into the History Center. With over 6 feet of water in the basement, the basement is a total loss. The water quickly spread to literally every inch of the History Center, with at least 2 to 3 inches of standing water - and mud - throughout the building.

Cleanup is underway, of course. And many thanks to the Village of Glen Ellyn, the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company, the Glen Ellyn Police Department and to everyone who has come forward to offer assistance. We have been truly touched by everyone's generous support.

You will see ServPro trucks and staff there throughout the weekend. We will not be able to fully assess the damage until next week, as water has gone into the walls, electrical boxes are shut down, etc. In other words, it's a mess!

But we are grateful to ServPro who is doing a wonderful job.

The program originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon, "The Lady, The Locket, and the Loves of John Wilkes Booth" by Maria Boundas Bakalis, has been rescheduled for Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. If you have a ticket for the performance already, you can simply use it then.

If you cannot attend on May 5, please contact us after this Friday, March 29, and we will gladly refund it. All other events and rentals this week have been canceled. They will know soon if the program for March 30 will be held, and if it will be at the History Center or an alternate location. So please be patient with us.

In the meantime, if you would like to contribute to the cleanup efforts, a donation may be made through PayPal by clicking below, or mailing a check to Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. (Insurance only covers so much …).

Thanks for your patience, understanding and support as we move forward. Visit www.gehs.org to make a donation.