Water Main Break Closes Nassau County Museum of Art

Historic mansion to remain shuttered until March 21 after freezing temperatures cause sprinkler system rupture.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn, New York will be closed until March 21 after a water main connected to the building's fire sprinkler system burst due to sub-freezing temperatures earlier this month. No artwork was damaged, but repairs to the sprinkler system are still needed before the museum can safely reopen to the public.

Why it matters

The Nassau County Museum of Art is a historic mansion that serves as an important cultural institution, showcasing art exhibitions and hosting educational programs. The temporary closure due to infrastructure issues highlights the challenges of maintaining aging facilities and the need for proactive maintenance to prevent disruptions.

The details

The water main break occurred on Monday, February 9, sending water into the lower level of the museum's historic mansion. The Nassau County Department of Public Works responded immediately to remediate the flooding and inspect the building's systems, which are now in good working order aside from the fire sprinkler system that requires repairs. As a safety precaution, the museum had to de-install its current exhibition 'Real, Surreal, Photoreal' and will reopen on March 21 with four new exhibitions.

  • The water main break occurred on Monday, February 9, 2026.
  • The museum will remain closed until Saturday, March 21, 2026.

The players

Nassau County Museum of Art

A historic mansion that serves as an important cultural institution in Roslyn, New York, showcasing art exhibitions and hosting educational programs.

Beth Horn

The Executive Director of the Nassau County Museum of Art.

Nassau County Department of Public Works

The county agency that responded to the water main break and inspected the museum's systems.

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What they’re saying

“Magnificent historic structures require special care throughout their lives. While we would prefer to plan this work with more lead time, the mansion has made its demands known now. Our response is both timely and thorough, so the museum can continue to serve as a remarkable venue in which to discover the world of art for generations to come.”

— Beth Horn, Executive Director (longislandpress.com)

What’s next

The museum will reopen on Saturday, March 21, 2026 with four new exhibitions.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges of maintaining historic cultural institutions and the need for proactive infrastructure maintenance to prevent disruptions. Despite the temporary closure, the museum remains committed to serving the community and showcasing art for generations to come.