Upstairs of museum may close permanently

Jose Paul Corona

A year after a woman took a tumble on the stairs of the historic

Newland House Museum and sued the city, the top level remains off limits

to visitors -- and may be closed off permanently.

The second floor of the museum has been closed off since 78-year-old

Dorothy Markely fell down a stairway last July and tore some ligaments in

her ankle, said museum docent Craig Woods.

Markley’s daughter filed a lawsuit against the city, which was

settled in January when the city paid a total of $382, said Karen Foster,

risk manger for the city.

Now, six months later, the upstairs remains closed, much to the dismay

of tour guides and guests.

“When people ask [why it’s closed] you are at a loss for words,” he

said.

It is the first accident in the Victorian house since it was converted

to a museum 20 years ago.

The fact that it is an isolated incident is what has caused such

debate, said Michael Mudd, community service manger for the city.

“It was a unique situation,” Mudd said of the accident and the need to

close off a portion of the house.

When visitors ask what is up there, guides show them pictures, Woods

said, which really doesn’t compare.

Museum employees have been told that the upper floor of the Museum may

be closed permanently, Woods added.

But Mudd said that is an issue still up for debate among the city’s

community services and risk management departments.

“Because it’s historic we have to consider permitting access to the

second floor,” said Mudd.

Based on the age of the house they are worried that other such

accidents may occur and become a liability issue for the city.

The historic Victorian home was built in 1898 and has been operating

as a museum since 1976.

Closing off the area where the accident occurred is standard protocol

during accident investigations, said Foster, adding that she did not know

why it it remained closed.

Whether or not the area will be reopened is not yet known.

Museum employees would like the area to be reopened, Woods said.