Middletown >> Gibson Museum & Cultural Center has suspended operation “until Middletown is on its feet.” The projected opening date currently under discussion is Nov. 11, with its special Veterans Day exhibit.
Only one of the museum’s dedicated volunteers lost his home (and his family promptly chipped in to buy a modular replacement), but all volunteers have urgent concerns in helping friends and family rebuild.
The historic Gibson building remains unscathed. It will be opened for viewing or for searching its historical data files by appointment. Interested parties may call Nina Bousk at (707) 987-2349 or leave a message at the museum, (707) 809-8009.
Volunteers are saddened by all the losses, but particularly the loss of some of Middletown’s earliest homes that had survived the 1918 fire. The Armstrong House, built by W.J. and Oscar Armstrong before Middletown was founded, and the Wardlaw House, built by B. R. Wardlaw who prepared the map for the town’s platting, were destroyed. Both were private residences at the time.
And, of course, the hundreds of homes with long histories in the resort communities between Middletown and Cobb and Kelseyville, as well as Harbin — Lake County’s first resort — and Hoberg’s Resort.
