MIDLAND – Paintings by the Group of Seven and other irreplaceable works of art narrowly escaped damage over the weekend when water leaked into the Gallery of Historic Huronia at the Huronia Museum.

Fortunately, a public-speaking competition was taking place Sunday, so museum staff discovered the leak when they arrived to open the building. Normally, the building is closed over the weekend.

“Part of the ceiling had already fallen in,” said Nahanni Born, the museum’s executive director. “Fortunately, none of the art was damaged because the staff quickly removed everything.

“One exhibit case suffered water damage, but it can be repaired. We were able to save the walls, but the carpeting was destroyed. The chair used by artist Franz Johnston escaped damage.”

The gallery housed works by A.Y. Jackson, Franz Johnston and W.J. Wood. It also contained the Hallen Collection, which includes some of the earliest depictions of the region, and portraits of Lizzy and James Rowe recently acquired from T.G. Anderson.

Born has feared a catastrophe since the roof of the town-owned building began leaking three years ago. Council and the museum have been engaged in protracted discussions concerning the museum’s lease and the roof since the leak began. The roof has been repaired three times.

At one point, the museum board had to abandon its bid to qualify for government funding for a proposed expansion because it did not have a long-term lease on the building. Born said the museum plans to re-apply for funding.

Council agreed last fall to replace the roof. Museum and town staff are still engaged in discussions about what portion of the roof’s cost the museum will pay, as well as the terms of a new lease.

Born said the museum has managed to avoid damage to the artifacts from earlier leaks because Calvin Watts, the maintenance manager and a “clever little devil,” devised a system to control leaks that included using pails to catch the water.

Until the roof is replaced, she said, the gallery will have to remain closed.