Dawson City museum soaked by faulty sprinkler

A failed sprinkler system has left thousands of artifacts at the museum in Dawson City, Yukon, soaked.

Laura Mann, the Dawson City Museums executive director, saidsome pipes in the 111-year-old building burst on Saturday for no explainable reason. The loss of pressure set off the sprinkler system. Water poured onto the east side of the north gallery and on the second floor visible storage exhibit.

Staff are hoping to rescue some of artifacts, including a grand piano from the gold rush-era Flora Dora Hotel. It took the brunt of the water damage.

"This is a pretty important artifact and it holds a very significant position in our exhibit," said Mann.

While she can ship out other artifacts for restoration, Mann said the pianos size makes that difficult. She hopes a conservator can come to Dawson to work on it.

She's confident they will restore the piano, but she's not so sure about old trays that had paper advertising liners.

"I certainly want them treated. They're very important," she said. "But I can take them off exhibit, give them to a conservator and say work your magic please."

Mann is hoping the piano can be restored in the next month.

The floors need to be redone, but the walls escaped damage.

The museum usually opens its doors in winter by appointment and opens for the summer season on the May long weekend.

Mann said the museum will remain closed to visitors until the May long weekend to facilitate repairs.