Buffalo Fire Historical Museum facts for kids
The Buffalo Fire Historical Museum is a special place in Buffalo, New York. It helps us learn about the brave firefighters of the Buffalo Fire Department. This museum shows how firefighting has changed over many years. It was created by firefighters who used to work for the department.
Exploring the Buffalo Fire Historical Museum
The Buffalo Fire Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving the rich history of the Buffalo Fire Department. It was started and is run by retired firefighters. They want to make sure the stories and equipment from the past are remembered.
A Look Back at Firefighting History
The museum covers the history of the Buffalo Fire Department since it began in the mid-to-late 1800s. You can see many interesting things here.
- Historic Photos: The museum has old pictures of fire trucks and other equipment. These photos show how firefighting tools have changed over time.
- Real Fire Engines: You can see actual fire engines from different eras. One example is an Ahrens-Fox pumper. This type of truck was used to pump water onto fires. There is also a horse-drawn steamer. This was a very early type of fire engine that used steam power and was pulled by horses.
Important Events in Firefighting
The museum also shares stories and items from important events in Buffalo's firefighting history.
- The North Division Street Event: The museum has pictures and items from a very serious event on December 27, 1983. This was a large explosion on North Division Street. It caused a lot of damage and was a difficult day for the Buffalo Fire Department.
- The Hoodoo Box: You can learn about the famous fire alarm box #29. This box was also known as the "Hoodoo Box." It was located at Seneca and Wells streets in Buffalo. People called it the Hoodoo Box because when it was used, the fire call often led to a challenging situation for the Buffalo Fire Department. It became a part of the department's unique history.
The museum helps visitors understand the courage and dedication of firefighters throughout Buffalo's history.