Meet the Heroes: The New York City Fire Museum Beckons This Fall

Nestled inside a renovated 1904 firehouse on Spring Street in Manhattan’s vibrant Hudson Square neighborhood, the New York City Fire Museum strives to keep the history of New York’s firefighters alive. The official museum of the city’s Fire Department, its mission is to collect, preserve and present the history and cultural heritage of the fire service of New York. It should be on the bucket list for anyone interested in history and New York’s bravest heroes.

The Fire Museum, with roots dating to 1870, contains 30,000 objects and artifacts, features 11 galleries, and attracts some 40,000 visitors from across the globe annually. The museum houses permanent exhibitions in halls filled with historic artifacts and FDNY vehicles, including a “sidewinder” style hand-pumped fire engine built circa 1820. It is the museum’s oldest fire engine, a hose carriage used by the volunteer firemen of Steinway Hose Company 7. The museum also is home to New York City’s only memorial dedicated to the 343 members of the FDNY who perished on 9/11 and it has a number of firefighting artifacts recovered from the World Trade Center site.

Temporary exhibitions this fall include:

Tribute to 9/11
Beyond the permanent 9/11 memorial exhibition, the New York City Fire Museum will open a new display of artifacts contributed by the 9/11 Tribute Museum in Downtown Manhattan, which closed its doors in 2022. This exhibition is scheduled to open on August 30 and will be on display during the anniversary month of September.

Colonial Firefighting & the American Revolution
This exhibition has been extended until the end of the year due to popular demand! It celebrates the previously untold story of a group of volunteers, the colonial-era firefighters who stood between New York and disaster during years of rampant arson, wars in North America, and the American Revolution. Multimedia, video animations and 3D models illustrate major events of the colonial era, including a breathtaking video animation of the devastating fire in 1776 that destroyed 500 buildings – homes, churches, schools, stores, and factories. Original artworks depict the Wall of Wall Street, the first fire engines, and 1770 New York neighborhoods.

Firehouse: The Photography of Jill Freedman
Award-winning photographer Jill Freedman’s moving collection of photographs documents New York City firefighters on the job in the ‘70s. This exhibition features images contained in Freedman’s book, Firehouse, which was released in 1977 and garnered rave reviews for the honesty and grit that captured the danger, tragedy, heroism, and camaraderie of being a firefighter in New York City. Don’t miss the chance to see the stunning photos before the exhibition closes in October 2023.

The Museum recently launched a fun activity for kids: a scavenger hunt that leads young visitors through the Museum’s historic exhibitions hunting for artifacts amongst century-old fire engines. The scavenger hunt is free with admission and a surprise gift awaits those who complete the hunt!

Another highlight of the Museum is its Fire Safety Education Program which attracts school groups and camp groups throughout the year.

The Museum is located at 278 Spring Street between Varick and Hudson Streets, in the former quarters of the FDNY's Engine Company No. 30, a renovated 1904 firehouse.

Visiting the New York City Fire Museum

COVID Information: The Museum advises that mask-wearing is optional for employees, members, and general visitors.

Directions/Address: 278 Spring Street, New York, N.Y.

To reach the Museum by subway, take the “C” or “E” train (8th Avenue Local) to Spring Street. Walk west 1½ blocks. Alternately, take the “1” train (IRT) to Houston Street. Walk south along Varick Street for 4 blocks to Spring Street. Walk west ½ block. To reach the Museum via bus, take the M10 or M21 to Spring Street.

Hours of Operation

Open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 AM to 5 PM
Advance ticketing is available; walk-ins are welcome.

Admission Prices

• $15 for Adults
• $6 for Youth Ages 3 - 17
• $10 for Students with School ID, Seniors 65 and older, Person(s) w Disabilities, Firefighters (Firefighters outside of NYC, must show Firefighter ID upon Entry)
• $3 for Museums for All Adults/Children (up to four people per EBT card with ID)

Free Admission
(Must bring appropriate ID )

• New York City Fire Museum, Museum Council and Cool Culture members
• Children 2 and under
• Active FDNY, NYPD, PAPD
• Active US Military

Those interested in becoming a member can visit https://www.nycfiremuseum.org/membership to explore the different membership options, starting at $45.00 annually.