We are developing more information on this by the hour. Once we have more details, we will be releasing a formal statement. At this point, the statement posted, unfortunately, appears to be accurate and this was likely arson.

Needless to say, this is incredibly tragic. The WP Hospital was a unique historic artifact, the only railroad hospital we knew of in preservation hands. Initial plans were in place and funding options were being explored to restore / reuse the structure as a showpiece library, archives and historical center. Engineering assessments had been done and a major architecture firm was interested in working on the project with us.

I have spent over 12 years working on the master build-out plan for the WPRM, of which the Hospital was a centerpiece. This is a very personal blow to me.


Eugene Vicknair
FRRS


PS: I want to add that the Hospital was located on a bluff overlooking the museum. At no time was the rest of the facility in danger and none of our other artifacts were damaged.