Museum begins $1M renovation

HAMMONDSPORT--The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum is undergoing an interior renovation that began Monday, Jan. 18, and is scheduled for completion by Memorial Day weekend May 28. Due to the nature of the work, visitor access may be limited. The work itself will cost $1 million in total.
"In the last 15 years, the Curtiss Museum has enjoyed a steady increase in attendance to the extent that the capacity of our restrooms was proving to be problematic," Museum Director Trafford Doherty said. "In addition, on busy days, we have noted that our museum store has not been able to provide sufficient space for our visitors to fully appreciate what we have to offer -- it was simply too crowded. The answer, of course, was to expand both areas of the museum."
However, in order to accomplish this, Doherty said they had to repurpose existing storage and office spaces, leading to the decision to build new offices and storerooms by adding a second floor above the existing offices. The director said this will also include a new board room with a view of the interior of the museum and it is anticipated that this room will be available for civic use.
"In order to be handicapped accessible, the second floor will served by an elevator, as well as a stairway," Doherty said. "Add a kitchenette and two small restrooms to the mix and we have a major project that will cost slightly in excess of $1 million dollars and take four months to complete."
For more, call 607-569-2160 or info@glennhcurtissmuseum.org.