Repairs are set to begin on the Woody Winfree Fire-Transportation Museum in downtown Hopkinsville after more than a year of storm damage left the historic structure in disrepair.
Located at 310 East 9th Street, the building served as the city’s Central Fire Station from 1905 until 1964. It has housed the Fire-Transportation Museum since 2008. On March 31, 2023, powerful straight-line winds caused significant damage to the building’s south and east facades as well as the town clock tower.
The Local Development Corporation, which owns the building, reached a settlement with insurance earlier this year, clearing the way for restoration work. Construction is now set to begin this month, with clock repairs to follow shortly after.
The restoration team includes REB Architects of Nicholasville and C&C Contracting of Russellville, both of which specialize in historic preservation projects. The firms previously partnered on the rehabilitation of the Pennyroyal Area Museum in 2019-2020.
Planned repairs include rebuilding the south and east facades, reconstructing the parapet on the south side, replacing a damaged steel lintel, and repairing or replacing windows. All work will be completed to maintain both the historic and structural integrity of the landmark building.
The Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County, which operates inside the facility, and the LDC thanked the community for its patience during the lengthy process. Leaders say the project will not only preserve an important part of Hopkinsville’s past but also restore the museum as a contributing piece of downtown.
