A week after a scorched the north wing of Legislative Hall, Delaware’s capitol building will be open to state employees Wednesday.
The blaze, which started in the attic during a test of a backup generator, left Leg Hall with varying degrees of fire, smoke and water damage. Restoration crews cleaned the building up in around-the-clock shifts.
State officials say the public won’t be allowed into the building for an indefinite period of time. A damage estimate is still in development.
160 historical paintings – including portraits of past governors – are in an undisclosed City of Dover location waiting to be cleaned.
A Delaware Department of State spokesman says 11 paintings will need professional restoration work done. No items came into direct contact with flames.
Two of those paintings will be restored by Winterthur Museum for free, including a 1966 portrait of Gov. Charles Terry by Jaime Wyeth.
