Raleigh Fire Department Museum

Jayne Kirkpatrick, Director, Public Affairs

Prepared by: Michael Williams, Assistant Director, Public Affairs

 

For more information: Tim Henshaw, secretary/treasurer, Raleigh Fire Museum, 919-996-5973 

                                                                                  

June 1, 2012 

 

 

Raleigh Fire Museum Preserves the

Raleigh Fire Department’s 100 Year History

of Bravery and Service to City Residents

 

        The threat of fire is constant. You can’t escape the possibility that your home, your possessions and all those you love could be the victims of a disastrous fire. For the past 100 years, the Raleigh Fire Department has provided protection to Raleigh residents as a full-time professional fire department.

 

        The Raleigh Fire Museum provides an important role by chronicling the history of the City’s career fire department, and the preceding 50 years of protection provided by volunteer firefighters.

 

The museum is located in a classroom trailer at the City of Raleigh Keeter Training Center at 105 Keeter Center Drive. “We’re trying to build awareness through the museum,” said Alan Walters, who serves as the museum’s vice-president, “so that the services of past firefighters will never be forgotten.”

 

        The museum opened in May 2011 under the organization name of the Raleigh Fire Department Historical Society. The group was formed in 2008 by a cadre of firefighters and Fire Department supporters. It was incorporated as a non-profit charity in 2010, and raised $1,300 in donations from firefighters to make the museum a reality.

 

        "The funds allowed us to build displays," said Mr. Walters, who retired last month as a battalion chief after 31 years of service. “One of the first things we did was to build a curved wall to surround the 1870 fire alarm bell." Firefighters and museum staff members also donated their time to catalog artifacts, build displays, and frame photographs.

 

The historical society changed its legal name this year to the Raleigh Fire Museum, to reduce confusion between the organization and the City of Raleigh Fire Department.

 

The idea for the historical society and the museum was formed when Mr. Walters collaborated with the department's historian Mike Legeros on a commemorative book in 2007.

 

The museum was envisioned as a physical place both for firefighters and the community. "You have to see the artifacts in person to fully appreciate them and to understand what they meant to firefighters and those whose lives were saved and whose property was kept from becoming ashes,” said Mr. Walters.

 

Today, more than 200 items are on display at the Raleigh Fire Museum. It houses exhibits, pictures and other information illustrating how firefighting equipment and techniques have changed and improved since the days of horse-drawn fire engines.

 

In December 1912, career personnel took over the apparatus, equipment, and facilities of the volunteer Raleigh Fire Department. Three horse-drawn hose companies were soon augmented with the City's first motorized apparatus. Photos of these and other early fire engines are displayed on a wall at the museum.

 

Recognizing that the people are the most important part of the Fire Department’s 100-year history, the Raleigh Fire Museum has also posted a list of all members since 1912. There are over 1,500 names on the Centennial Roll Call, and they represent many familiar Raleigh and Wake County family names.

 

The roll call is posted on the anniversary web site, www.RFD100.com. A link to the roll call is on the right side of most pages.

 

        The Raleigh Fire Department also has a collection of antique apparatus that it would like to display at the museum, but there isn't enough room. The apparatus; including a 1905 American LaFrance steamer, a 1926 American LaFrance pumper, a 1950 Mack pumper, and a 1982 Mack pumper, is stored at Fire Station 28 in northeastern Raleigh.

 

        A new acquisition will soon join this equipment; a 1961 American LaFrance pumper that the museum purchased with donations from firefighters. "The troops donated almost $4,000.00," said Mr. Walters, "A number of retirees also gave money." 

 

The Raleigh Fire Museum would like a bigger space where the trucks, as well as more photos, artifacts, and displays could be presented. "The museum is centered on the Raleigh Fire Department, but there have been other departments that have fought fire alongside us," said Mr. Walters. "As the space allows, we'll continue to grow, and expand our scope."

        “Getting a bigger space won’t be possible without more money,” said Mr. Walters. “As proud and pleased as the department is about the opening of the museum, this is just the start.”

 

        The museum is open on the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Admission is free. Parking and rest rooms are available.

 

        For more information, visit www.raleighfiremuseum.org or call

Tim Henshaw, secretary/treasurer, at 919-996-5973 (office) or 919-524-6041 (cell).

 

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