Kentucky Derby Museum to Reopen Next April After Flood Damage Fix

The Kentucky Derby Museum will reopen next year after renovations to fix flooding damage are made to the tourist attraction showcasing the world’s most famous horse race.

Flash flooding that hit Louisville in early August swamped the basement and main floor of the museum, located just outside Gate 1 at Churchill Downs.

The Courier-Journal of Louisville reported on its Web site that the museum plans to reopen in April after it receives a $5.5 million exhibit renovation.

Museum officials had said insurance estimates for damage and cleanup exceed $4 million and the facility would remain closed through at least the end of 2009 while repairs were made.

Nearly 2,500 items from the collections and archival research departments were damaged beyond repair. Those items included photographs, newspaper clippings, race meet programs and racing forms.