Forwarded to Museum-L with the permission of the author.

HBC

>Date: Wed, 17 Dec 1997 13:17:58 -0600
>From: Kit Neumann <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Sam Rayburn House
>Sender: [log in to unmask]
>To: 'Tam list' <[log in to unmask]>
>MIME-version: 1.0
>Precedence: bulk
>
>The Sam Rayburn House Museum (an historic site operated by the Texas
>Historical >Commisison) in Bonham, TX caught fire December 4 at about 12:00
>pm.  The cause of >the fire was the electrical system.  The house suffered
>smoke damage throughout and >some structural damage in the southeast corner.
>The Bonham Fire Department arrived >quickly and worked on controlling the fire
>for about two hours.  Thanks to their rapid >response and careful attention,
>no artifacts were lost or damaged.

>The museum will be closed until the damage can be completely assessed and
>repairs >can be made.  The Sam Rayburn house Museum is the home of Sam
>Rayburn, >Congressman for 48 years and Speaker of the House for 17 years.
>Contents in the >house are Mr. Sam's original belongings and memorabilia.

>The Texas Historical Commission is the state agency for historic preservation.
>>Questions can be directed to Kit Neumann, coordinator of museum services
>>512/463-5756 or Renee Peterson, director of marketing, 512/463-7096.


*****************************************
Henry B. Crawford        Curator of History
[log in to unmask]     Museum of Texas Tech University
806/742-2442           Box 43191
FAX 742-1136             Lubbock, TX  79409-3191
               WEBSITE: http://www.ttu.edu/~museum
**********    "Living History Rules!!"    **********