| Fire Museum of Memphis | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1998[1] |
| Location | 118 Adams Ave., Memphis, Tennessee |
| Type | Fire Museum |
| Director | Brier Smith Turner |
| Public transit access | MATA Trolley: Main Street Line or Riverfront Loop at Jefferson Ave. Station |
| Website | http://www.firemuseum.com |
The Fire Museum of Memphis is located in Fire Engine House No. 1 on 118 Adams Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The museum is dedicated to document the local history of fire fighting and to promote fire safety. The museum provides static exhibits as well as video documentation. For children there is original fire fighting and ambulance equipment to play on as well as an escape maze to crawl through.
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The Fire Museum of Memphis is located in the Fire Engine House No. 1, which was built in 1910. Historic exhibits in the museum date back to the early 1900s.[2] Several historic fire engines that were used by the Memphis Fire Department are on display at the museum.[3]
Other exhibits consist of antique fire fighting equipment, historic uniforms, American and European Firefighter's helmets, badges, lanterns, antique fire fighting toys and fire engine scale models.[3] A fire simulation room safely demonstrates the development of a fire in a residence. The simulation recreates the experience to be in a burning house.[4] Video stations document the history of fire fighting. A model of the Fire Station No. 1, in which today's museum is housed, shows the station as it was in 1910. Outside of the museum, a memorial wall is dediacted to remember the Memphis fire fighters who have lost their life in the line of duty.
Children of all ages can experience playing on and with authentic fire equipment. A crew cabin of an E-One fire truck can be explored and played on by children, as well as an authentic ambulance unit and a Ward-LaFrance Pumper. Children can experience to be on an aerial platform, slide down a fireman's pole or practice crawling through an escape maze.[3]
The museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm.[3]
Until 2008, the museum had two full time employees. In July 2008, one full time position was eliminated due to financial struggles. This decision left Brier Smith Turner, the executive director of the museum, as the only full time employee. Since then, the staff consists of one full time and two part time employees.[1]