Behind Bethel Fire Department Lies a Hidden Historical Gem

Behind the Bethel Volunteer Fire House on South Street sits a small, unassuming building that holds hundreds of years of fire history.

The only museum of its kind in the area, the Bethel Fire Museum recently opened to show Patch the collection of hundreds of pieces of fire equipment, photos, patches and badges, most of which belong to Walter Dugdale, 81, of Bethel.

“I started collecting when I was in my 40s, wherever I could, tag sales, flea markets. It was a hobby,” Dugdale said. And now his fellow volunteer firefighters are working to archive the collection to keep the stories alive for years to come.

Dugdale has collected and restored dozens of miniature fire trucks, fire extinguishers, fire patches and badges that are on display, but his pride and joy is the 1831 hand pump. “It took four or five guys to work this thing,” he laughed. “It’s called Old Forgotten.”

Originally from Darien, the fireman began volunteering when he was 19 and has been a Bethel volunteer fireman for 52 years.

When asked what his secret is to staying young he joked, “Two packs of cigarettes a day; Camel unfiltered.” He is currently working on restoring a 1936 Mac Pumper in one of the rooms in the back of the museum.

Ira Pollack said of Dugdale,” He’s very humble. He won’t admit that this is all his doing,” referring to the entire collection. “We’re trying to get him to tell his story so that we can have that history.”

Scott Murphy is working along with his daughter Erin to label each piece in the museum. Visitors are welcome to view the collection by calling the firehouse at (203) 778-7414. Schools and other groups are welcome.

Photo credit: Wendy Mitchell

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