🏛️ Before the Flood
Photo of AIHP before the flood, just weeks before an unexpected pipe burst changed everything.
In August 2025, AIHP experienced a major flood that affected five of our spaces in the School. Thanks to the dedication of staff and volunteers, including SoP faculty, nearly all collection materials were preserved. What began as an emergency quickly became an opportunity to modernize collection storage, improve preservation practices, and reimagine our spaces for the future.
Scroll through the timeline below to see the recovery journey.
July 25, 2025
Photo of AIHP before the flood, just weeks before an unexpected pipe burst changed everything.
August 10, 2025
A pipe burst early Sunday morning after heavy rainfall, flooding these AIHP spaces:
Some areas had up to two inches of standing water. Thanks to the quick response from staff, nearly all collection materials were saved. Wet archival boxes and folders were dried, while only damaged containers needed to be replaced.
August 2025
Fans and industrial dehumidifiers ran continuously while walls were opened to prevent mold and speed up drying. Shelving was temporarily moved, books were boxed as a precaution, and recovery efforts began.
During this stage, AIHP also recognized an opportunity to improve long-term preservation by replacing aging filing cabinets with archival shelving.
Late August–September 2025
Recovery shifted toward improving storage.
October 2025 – February 2026
As emergency cleanup concluded, attention turned to long-term improvements.
During this period AIHP:
January – March 2026
Recovery evolved into modernization.
Major milestones included:
April – June 2026
The main space was completely emptied to prepare for renovation.
Updates included:
The goal was not simply to repair the space but to create a more welcoming home for visitors and researchers.
May – July 2026
The archive layout was redesigned to maximize preservation and accessibility.
Projects included:
By mid-July, another 9 filing cabinets (45 drawers) were ready for removal as preparations continued for permanent archival shelving.
The flood tested AIHP’s collections and spaces, but it also became the catalyst for meaningful improvements. Through careful preservation, thoughtful planning, and months of dedicated work, the museum continues transforming its collections into a stronger, more accessible resource for researchers, students, and the public.
