Just hours before it was to begin, the Richmond Museum of History today, Tuesday, canceled of its new exhibit on the history of the Chevron refinery.
The decision follows a large fire at the Chevron refinery last night that spewed a huge plume visible for miles, sent hundreds to locals hospitals with breathing problems, prompted a shelter-in-place warning, halted BART and required .
The new exhibit is intended to commemorate the refinery's 110th anniversary, and the reception from 2-4 p.m. today was to feature representatives from Chevron and the city of Richmond, as well as light refreshments and music.
A notice from the museum said:
"We regret to inform you that the opening reception for the new exhibit,
'Other Days, Other Ways: A Refinery Saga,' to be held today, August 7th,
2012, HAS BEEN CANCELED AND POSTPONED until further notice.
"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and we will let you know as
soon as a new date has been decided."
Attempts to reach the museum for further explanation have not been successful so far.
Today was considered an auspicious day for the opening since it's Richmond's birthday. The city was incorporated in 1905, three years after oil started pouring at the new refinery operated by the company then called Pacific Coast Oil Company on 50 acres of shoreline land.
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