This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

The Miracle of Aug. 11

On the night of Aug. 11, a fire broke out at the historic Connecticut River Museum. When the 911 call came in, volunteer firefighters from Essex, Deep River, Westbrook, and Old Saybrook were mobilized and their full resources directed to the site of the fire.

Within minutes, the site was secured, the equipment deployed, and the operation to save the invaluable collection and the historic 1878 building was begun. More than 70 firefighters were split into groups, one group commissioned to enter the burning building and save and protect the art and artifacts inside. Another group worked to control the fire and to save the iconic building, a symbol of the Essex waterfront and a repository of more than 300 years of the history of the Connecticut River Valley dating to the Revolutionary War and Colonial times.

By midnight the fire was extinguished and the building was opened to the museum staff for inspection. Retired senior curator Brenda Milkofsky emerged some 30 minutes later with tears in her eyes and proclaimed the rescue operation "a miracle." There was literally no permanent loss to the collection, a result of the efforts of the team that entered the building and moved quickly to move, cover, and protect the contents.

The damaged roof, façades, and decking of the Connecticut River Museum can and will be replaced. Schooner trips continue while educational outings for thousands of school children, popular community events, and new exhibits…all will return. But the "miracle" of Wednesday night was truly the story of how our history was saved.

Our heartfelt thanks to the 72 volunteer firefighters from four towns who made this possible. They epitomize the spirit of community, the spirit of volunteerism, the very values that have made our lives and our love for the region what it is.

Timothy Boyd, Chairman

Board of Trustees

Jerry Roberts, Executive Director

Connecticut River Museum