Buffalo Fire Historical Museum facts for kids
The Buffalo Fire Historical Museum is a special place in Buffalo, New York. You can find it at William and North Ogden Streets. This museum was created and is run by firefighters who have retired from the Buffalo Fire Department. Their main goal is to keep the amazing history of the Buffalo Fire Department alive, right from when it started in the mid-to-late 1800s.
The Buffalo Fire Historical Museum
The Buffalo Fire Historical Museum is like a time capsule for firefighting in Buffalo. It helps visitors understand how firefighting has changed over many years. It shows the bravery and dedication of the firefighters who have protected the city.
What You'll See at the Museum
When you visit the museum, you'll discover many interesting things. There are lots of photos showing old fire trucks and equipment, called "apparatus." You can even see some real pieces of old fire apparatus up close!
- Historic Fire Trucks: The museum has actual fire trucks from the past. One famous piece is an Ahrens-Fox pumper. A pumper is a type of fire engine that pumps water from a source, like a hydrant, onto a fire.
- Horse-Drawn Steamer: Imagine a fire engine pulled by horses! The museum has a horse-drawn steamer. This was an early type of fire engine that used steam power to pump water. It shows how firefighting worked before modern engines.
Remembering Brave Firefighters
The museum also honors the firefighters and events that shaped the department's history. It includes exhibits that help us remember important moments.
- The 1983 North Division Street Event: You can see pictures and items from a very serious event that happened on December 27, 1983, on North Division Street. This event was a huge challenge for the Buffalo Fire Department. The museum helps us remember the brave firefighters who were involved and the impact it had on the city.
- The Hoodoo Box: There's also a display about a famous fire alarm box, number 29. It was known as the "Hoodoo Box." This box was located at Seneca and Wells streets in Buffalo. People called it the Hoodoo Box because whenever it was used to call in a fire, the situation often turned out to be very difficult or challenging for the Buffalo Fire Department. It's a reminder of the unpredictable dangers firefighters face.
The Buffalo Fire Historical Museum is a great place to learn about the courage and history of firefighters in Buffalo. It shows how important their work has been for the community.
