Fort Whoop-Up reopened after severe flood damage

After suffering from severe flood damage last July, Fort Whoop-Up is happy to be open once again.

The flooding damage was due to complications with one of the storm water outfall lines down town. All of that rain water following more rain caused by a thunderstorm re-routed the water and it made its way down the coulees, then hit the back wall of the museum. In some places, water on the property was about a foot deep.

The interior of the main building was destroyed. Carpet and drywall needed to be replaced and some exhibits were ruined. Logs in the cabins had to be re-chinked, doors re-aligned and 700 firearms flash rusted.

Through the repair process, a few changes had been made. Displays were re-organized and areas that re-occurring guests have seen before were made new to them again.

Despite the busy past year dealing with flood damages, staff at Fort Whoop-Up remain optimistic about what is yet to come.

“Just to have that feeling that yeah things are back to normal. The sights and sounds and smells are all back and now we just hope that we can get the people back,” said Doran Degenstein, executive director at Fort Whoop-Up.

It is estimated that it will take about 100 thousand dollars to finish the restoration that is left, and that may not be completed until the fall.