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The Johnstown Flood Museum
By Dave Beste
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date May 31, 1889 does not conjure up the same images in the American
consciousness that the dates December 7th and September 11th now do.
But it wasn't always that way. At 3:10 PM on Friday, May 31, 1889
the inadequate and neglected South Fork Dam broke during a horrendous
rainstorm and dumped twenty million tons of water towards Johnstown,
Pennsylvania. After the rushing waters receded over twenty-two hundred
people had perished and the city was in ruins.
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"Great Flood" was covered intensely by newspapers throughout
the nation and donations for disaster relief and aid were unparalleled
in history. This also presented the first major disaster for Clara
Barton's newly formed Red Cross. All eyes and ears were focused intently
on Johnstown and people were eager to read about the tragedy.
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Johnstown Flood Museum is dedicated to the remembrance of the horrifying
events of that day; as well as, its avoidable causes and the pride
and rebirth of the city. The museum is filled with ghostly artifacts
that once adorned the homes of the flood victims and relics that have
become chilling reminders of the past.
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the center of the first room there is a fiber optic model depicting
Johnstown and the surrounding landscape. From this model you can follow
the path of the "Flood" as it made its way from the dam
to the city below. You will also learn about the many people whose
heroic actions helped save lives along the way. Just to the right
of this room is the Oklahoma House, which is a pre-fabricated small
cabin that was used by early settlers. It was in homes like this that
many people found refuge after thousands were left homeless from the
"Flood". It is a simply furnished cabin that could provide
only the most necessary needs, especially when it was overcrowded
with people who had just lost everything.
 pstairs
is decorated with multiple photographs showing the people of Johnstown
over a century ago and today. It is a wonderful tribute to the diligence
and persistence of a proud people as they reclaimed their city and
their lives. Also located on this floor is a theater where you can
view the Academy-Award winning documentary, The Johnstown Flood. Created
in 1989 this is a gripping film that takes the viewer through the
ill-fated circumstances that began that tragic day.
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the third floor is a beautifully crafted room where you can view another
film. This one, however, is in 3-D. Stereoview images had become quite
popular at the time of the "Flood" and hundreds of photographers
rushed to Johnstown to produce memorable shots of the city in distress.
Complementing the 3-D images are spoken accounts concerning the events
of the day from the writings of those who survived it.
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Johnstown Flood Museum acts as more than just a reminder of a horrific
tragedy. Johnstown established itself again rather quickly after the
"Flood" and began rebuilding immediately. And although the
statistics and devastating stories have a deep impact, the past is
a testimony to this city's ability to overcome adversity.
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For more information on the museum, check out these websites:
 The
Johnstown Area Heritage Association
A
History of Johnstown
Johnstown
Flood National Memorial
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