Building New Museum

[brandyflame]

I am in the process of developing plans for our new fire museum. We are building a new station and it will be housed on the top floor. Does anyone have any experience with designing a museum or do you know of anyone I can contact that has information?

[CFD Hazards]

Your best bet is to go and visit any that exist in your area. New York has a great museum as does Philly. If you are in Canada, visit the Montreal Fire Museum. It shares a building with an operating engine company. They are all in closed firehouses and include old apparatus, uniforms, gear, photos (old and new) and the entire history of each department. I'm pretty sure that the Providence FD is in the process of creating one but I don't know who is in charge of it.

[brandyflame]

Thanks for the advice. I am located in Canada but I am in Newfoundland therefore I am unable to visit other provinces easily (I am on an island). However I am going to contact the Montreal Museum to get advice from them on their own experiences and learning curves.

Thanks again!

[WTFD10]

Our neighboring city has an excellent museum:

Toledo Firefighters Museum

It's run by retirees, I'm sure they could help you. A great bunch of guys!

[Diane E]

Road Trip?

My FD has one (Port Jefferson, NY) and there's a really nice one in Ridge, NY (east of Port Jefferson):

http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/brookhavenfiremuseum/

Some suggestions....

Leave plenty of room for showcases whether they're against the wall or not, you'll need the space if you want to continue to grow.

[brandyflame]

Thanks to those who replied with information. I have done some research on the museums you had mentioned and I have plans to contact them today. I know some of them are fairly large compared to the size that I am planning. Our room will be 700 square feet and will be on a top floor so room is a main factor and obviously the selection of artifacts and exhibits wil be another factor (no apparatus displays, etc..). A number of museums I have researched are located in old fire houses, etc.. But if you hear of a smaller version of a museum (about the size of our plans), please let me know.

Thanks again to all of you. The info has been much appreciated!

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Try contacting the following location:

NEW JERSEY FIREMEN'S HOME
565 Lathrop Avenue
Boonton, NJ 07005 Program Number: UWUC232A
Telephone Numbers
(973) 334-0024 24 Hours

They have a fire museum on site.