(Photo/Fulton County Historical Society)

ROCHESTER — The Fulton County Historical Society’s property in Rochester suffered severe damage in an early morning storm Monday, Aug. 3. Volunteers are still working to clean up and assess the damage.

The Round Barn (Photo/Fulton County Historical Society)

One of the most devastating losses was the group’s iconic round barn. Built in 1924, the barn has been through a lot already. A tornado ripped the roof off in 1989. Now the roof has been completely destroyed again, 25 years later.

“Buildings are replaceable, the artifacts, not always,” said Melinda Clinger, director of the historical society. “We want to keep that history alive.”

Just hours after the storm blew through, help came in the form of numerous volunteers wanting to preserve the county’s history.

“I made a few phone calls, some people came out, called their friends,” said Fred Oden, president of the historical society. “People have been showing up all day long. I appreciate everyone being here.”

Some of the bigger items, such as a wagon from 1910, have already been pulled from the rubble. More work to salvage what can be kept, make repairs and sort through debris is needed, though, and it will take time.

“We’re so glad the volunteers are coming out to help get these artifacts and things saved out of the barn so they can be preserved for future generations,” said Clinger.

Source: Fox 28