Michigan Firehouse Museum facts for kids
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Exterior of the 1898 fire station
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| Established | 1998 |
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| Location | 110 West Cross Street, Ypsilanti, Michigan, US |
| Type | Fire museum |
| Visitors | 6,000 (annually) |
The Michigan Firehouse Museum and Education Center is a cool place to learn about the history of firefighting in Michigan. It's located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at 110 West Cross Street. This museum shows how firefighters and their equipment have changed over time.
Contents
History of the Firehouse Museum
The Michigan Firehouse Museum is in an old fire station building. This building was first built in 1898 in a part of Ypsilanti called Depot Town. It served as a real fire station until 1975. After that, the city built a new station.
In 1998, a couple named Howard and Norma Weaver bought the old fire station. They lived in Ann Arbor and decided to open the museum that same year. In 1999, the museum became a special non-profit organization. This means it's run for public benefit, not for making money.
By 2005, it was the only fire museum in Michigan open all year. It was also the closest one to the Metro Detroit area. The museum now includes the original fire station and a newer part built in 2002. Together, they cover about 26,000 square feet. The museum is also part of the MotorCities National Heritage Area. This group helps fund projects, like fixing the brick walls of the old fire station.
What You Can See: Museum Exhibits
The Michigan Firehouse Museum shows off lots of cool firefighting items. They focus on how firefighting technology has changed and the history of firefighters in Michigan. The museum collects old equipment and important papers from all over the state.
Fire Trucks and Equipment
The newer part of the museum has space for 25 different exhibits. Here you can see antique fire trucks, old tools, and other cool firefighting stuff. The original fire station building has a special horse-drawn, steam-powered fire engine. Imagine horses pulling a fire engine!
The museum has fire trucks from many Michigan cities. These include trucks from Battle Creek, Escanaba, and Grand Rapids. Some special trucks include a 1916 Triple Combination Pumper and a 1917 American LaFrance Type 31. By 2007, the museum had more than 20 fire trucks!
Unique Collections
The museum also has the biggest collection of fire truck bells in the whole United States. In total, there are over 3,600 items on display. You can even see rare fire grenades, which were early types of fire extinguishers.
Visitors and Special Events
About 6,000 people visit the museum every year. Many visitors are schoolchildren on field trips or Boy Scouts. Former firefighters also enjoy visiting. People have even come from other fire museums as far away as Dallas, Texas.
Museum Activities and Community
In 2018, the museum director, Al Dyer Jr., wanted more people to visit. He hoped to work with other groups in the community, like Eastern Michigan University. He saw the museum as a great place for fire safety and learning. It can also be a place for events like weddings or birthday parties. The museum was already hosting parties and wedding receptions by 2005.
In August 2010, the museum held a Firetruck Muster. This was a big show of fire trucks at Riverside Park in Ypsilanti. In December 2018, the old fire station hosted its first Para-Con. This was a convention about paranormal things, with discussions and even a midnight ghost hunt! Some people think the old fire station is haunted.
Images for kids
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Exterior of the 2002 addition
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