London Fire Brigade Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1966 |
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The London Fire Brigade Museum tells the exciting story of firefighting in London. It shows how firefighters have protected the city since 1666. That was the year of the Great Fire of London, a huge fire that changed the city forever. The museum has many old fire appliances, which are like fire trucks and engines, and other cool equipment used by firefighters long ago.
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History of the Fire Brigade Museum
The museum used to be in a special building called Winchester House. This building was once the home of Captain Sir Eyre Massey Shaw. He was a very important leader of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. This was the main fire service for London back then.
Winchester House: A Historic Headquarters
Winchester House was the main office for the London Fire Brigade until 1937. That year, King George VI opened a brand new building. This new headquarters was built on the Albert Embankment, right next to the River Thames.
Museum Closure and Future Plans
The museum at Winchester House closed its doors to visitors in September 2015. All the amazing items from the collection were carefully checked and put away. The plan was to open a brand new, special museum later on. In July 2015, the people in charge of London's fire services agreed. They said that a new museum and a fire station must be part of any plans. This was a condition for selling the old headquarters building on Albert Embankment.
What's Happening Now with the Museum?
It was thought that a new museum might open by 2023. However, as of August 2025, the museum is still closed. But don't worry, there have been ways for people to see parts of the collection.
Digital Collection and Outreach
Even though the physical museum is closed, the collection is now completely digital. This means you can explore many items online! There have also been special temporary shows across London. The museum has also done outreach visits and educational talks. These events helped celebrate the 150th anniversary of the London Fire Brigade.
Former Museum Location
If you wanted to visit the old museum, its address was:
- London Fire Brigade Museum
- Winchester House
- 94A Southwark Bridge Road
- London SE1 0UG
Images for kids
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The historic Winchester House, once home to the London Fire Brigade Museum.
