The New York City Fire Museum

The New York City Fire Museum is one of the most popular museums in this city. It is the perfect place to relive the drama and excitement of the years gone by and see how it is our brave firemen protected Manhattan with, what might seem to us, strange yet ingenious looking contraptions.

Appropriately so, the museum is located in an old Beaux-arts style firehouse that was built in 1904.This building was converted into a museum just a little over a decade ago. This beautiful building sets the mood for what you are about to see in it with its old style stone arches and pale red brick walls.

Each and every display in the museum is a salute to the brave firefighters of the New York Fire Department and their more than two centuries of dedication towards keeping the city and its inhabitants safe. Sepia photographs of fire companies of the early-20th century, the 1890’s horse-drawn buggy belonging to the department chief; fire engines looking glorious in their “fiery” red hue, the canine mascot of Engine Company 203′sthat was stuffed after it died in 1939; hoses, uniforms, hydrants, helmets, and hand-held tools…all these exhibits are as fascinating and romantic as they are educating.

A poignant reminder of the tragedy that the US faced in recent times is the September 11 Memorial. It is housed in two adjoining rooms and pays a tribute to the heroes of 9/11. Exhibits include a black marble memorial with pictures of firefighters who lost their lives in the attacks; a WTC Memorial Statue donated by Ironworkers’ Local 40; tools such as shovels and garden spades used in the recovery effort displayed in a glass case; an interactive computer station that allows you to browse newspaper coverage of the attacks, photographs of the fallen firemen, and pictures of nationwide tributes to the FDNY; and a wall-size timeline that chronicles the dramatic events of the day.

In addition to exploring all the fascinating items here, you can also participate in the Fire Safety Education Program – one of the most highly acclaimed programs of the museum. Every year this program teaches thousands of children essential life skills, such as the important fire safety rules, how to help prevent fires, and what to do in case they find themselves caught in one. Both families as well as school groups can participate in this program.

• Address: 278 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013
• Phone: 212-691-1303
• Website: www.nycfiremuseum.org
• Hours of Operation: Tuesdays through Saturdays – 10 am to 5 pm; Sundays 10 am to 4 pm. Closed on Mondays and major holidays (Easter Sunday, July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, New Year’s Day)
• Admission Prices: Adults – $7; Seniors, Students, and Children – $5
• Guided historical tours for groups of 20 or more – $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under

Category: -