The Denver Firefighters Museum

Did you ever wonder about the history of firefighting or what a person has to go through to become a firefighter? Have you ever wondered about the tools firefighters use now or did use in the past or the vehicles used in firefighting before motor vehicles? Are you curious about what other life saving tasks that firefighters perform besides those actually involving a fire? Would you like to be involved in hands on activities learning about firefighting, or for your kids to be--including activities that teach about fire safety? If you answered yes to some or all of these questions, you can learn more than you ever thought you would about firefighting at the Denver Firefighters Museum in Denver, Colorado.

The non-profit museum has an 11,000 foot facility that explores the history of firefighting in Denver. The museum was established in 1978 and in the former Fire Station number 1 that was built in 1909. The building was completed by a noted Denver architect, Glenn W. Huntington. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and has been since that time. The museum receives income from corporations, grants given by individuals, federal agencies, foundations, gift shop income, and income from admissions. More than 20,000 people visit annually. There are more than 30,000 manuscripts, artifacts, and photographs.

There are a variety of hands on exhibits on the main level of the Denver Firefighters Museum. Visitors also learn about how people have communicated about fire up to the present through means including telegraphs, alarm boxes, and calling 911. They will also learn about the display of boots, helmets, bunking gear, and firefighting tools. Visitors can see motor driven, hand pulled, and horse pulled vehicles used in the fighting of fires. They will learn about the variety of methods used to extinguish fires through chemicals and water. Children will learn about fire prevention through a 911 teaching phone, firefighting gear this is child sized, a fire truck and pole for children, and by touching a cart of real firefighting tools. There are also a variety of videos to watch.

On the second floor of the Denver Firefighters Museum visitors will learn about the vigorous training required to become a firefighter. They will also learn about some of the largest fires in the history of Denver. They can also learn a little more about being a firefighter as they tour a dorm room, family room, bathroom, locker room, and officer's quarters.

In the children's gallery, you will have a chance to interact with your children on hands on activities. The things learned so far will be reinforced with computer kiosks, a video center, a reading center, a puppet theater, and a hop scotch that teaches about lighter and match safety.

Events at the museum have included a family program that included enjoying treats and learning about kitchen safety and viewing artwork in the children's gallery.

School tours at the Denver Firefighters Museum have given children the chance to dress like a firefighter as they learn that firefighters are friends, learn how to escape if there is a fire in their house, learn about the sound of a smoke detector, handle firefighting tools, and how and when to dial 911 in an emergency. There is a 911 simulator phone.

There are a variety of days in which people can visit for free, such as three days during the year which are free for everybody, days which are free for Colorado residents, a day that is free for grandparents who come with their grandchildren, and a day when children wearing a Halloween costume may visit for free. Every day admission is $6 for adults, $5 for senior citizens 65 and older, $5 for students with a valid ID, $4 for children 1-12, and free for museum members.

Citations: Denver Firefighters Museum , no author listed, En.wikipedia.org

The Denver Firefighters Museum , no author listed, Denverfirefightersmuseu.org