Fire Damages Hubert Humphrey’s Hometown Museum

Fire extensively damaged the Hubert Humphrey Museum early today in the town where the late vice president lived. Firefighters and residents were able to salvage some items and no injuries were reported.

The extent of damage to the late senator and vice president’s memorabilia in a downtown building had not been determined, said Irene Bender, museum director.

“Firemen brought out a lot of things, but of course it’s badly damaged,” Bender said. “In a museum collection, everything is important. It’s history you can’t replace.”

The collection included newspaper clippings, letters to Waverly residents, tickets to his 1965 inauguration and sheet music for the Hubert H. Humphrey March, with lyrics reading: “Once in every generation, comes a leader for the nation. Here is one who stands without a peer. Democrats in jubilation, laud him for his reputation, get behind him, sing it loud and cheer!”

Other Humphrey collections are held by the Minnesota Historical Society and the University of Minnesota.

The cause of the fire had not been determined. A passer-by reported seeing smoke coming from a window at about 4 a.m.