Some Frequently Asked Questions... Q: What's the history of this great old building? We are inside Aurora's old Central Fire Station. It was built in 1894 at a cost of $10,000. Designed by a local architect, the building's unique bay windows, decorative cornice, and "onion-dome" were typical of the Victorian-time, and they also were indicative of community pride. When it was completed the newspaper called it, "a model of its kind" the article continued, "In respect to cost, finish, appearance, convenience and good taste, there is nothing additional to wish for. ...the building might be the pride of any city." By the late 1970s, the fire department had literally out-grown the building. A small building to the south, had already been appropriated, and doorways were cut through the to provide another bunk room for the paramedics and a training room, but little could be done to increase the space of the apparatus room. Indeed the new 1979 ladder truck was unable to fit through the building's arched door openings. The fire department used the building until 1980, when the new fire headquarters was completed next door. The fate was uncertain, but a grass-roots organization successfully lobbied the city to save the building, and the Aurora Regional Fire Museum was born. Q: Did it always look like this? Nope, over the years the Old Central Fire Station underwent a lot of changes to keep up with the chang of time and technology. When horse-power (motors), replaced horse-power (horses) the building's eight original horse stalls were removed to make room for the bigger and longer fire trucks, and the former hay-loft was converted to a kitchen area and recreation room for the firefighters. The wooden floor of the apparatus room was replaced in 1920 with a poured concrete floor that was better able to handle the weight of the motorized fire trucks. As trucks got longer, the front swing-open apparatus doors were changed to the overhead type. The building's exterior also underwent a lot of changes. The copper-clad onion dome and bay windows were removed in the 1940s -- presumably for the war-scrap drives, and to "modernize" the building. When we acquired the building in the late 1980s it was a mess. All of the walls were covered with layers of "battle-ship" grey and green paint. The roof leaked, the floors were all covered over. Thousands of hours of volunteer labor made the building inhabitable, and the Aurora Regional Fire Museum open in the fall of 1990. In 2000, the City of Aurora received a grant from the state of Illinois to renovate the building, and restore its original front faÁade. After three-years that project has been completed, and we're once again open for business! Q: Are firefighters your biggest audience? While we work very closely with firefighters, and we support them with our mission and programs, or biggest audience is families and children -- of all ages (1 to 100). Our exhibit "Buckets, Bells and Booster Tanks" traces the evolution of fire apparatus, from the colonial bucket-brigades, to the modern fire apparatus of today. We have five pieces of fire apparatus on exhibit in the museum -- an 1850s hand-pumper, a horse-drawn steam fire engine, a fully restored 1918 American LaFrance, a 1921 Stutz Fire Engine that's original to Aurora, and a 1945 Engine from nearby Sandwich. The museum is not just about "looking" at old fire trucks, there are also lots of fun hands-activities -- like passing a fire bucket, or cranking an old fashioned siren -- that kids (and kids at heart) can try. We also work with lot of groups -- senior groups, day camps, church groups. Schools and scouting groups love combining their visit to the fire museum with a tour of the modern fire station next door, they can fulfill several of the Illinois State Learning requirements with one field trip! Q: What other things do you offer to the public? Aside from the exhibits, we have a fantastic archive for those interested in doing a local research project. In the rear of the museum -- in the former hayloft -- is a fifty-seat amphitheater that is available for local community and cooperate meetings. We also rent this space to individuals for birthday parties -- ages 5 to 105 -- weddings, and other special events. Q: What are your plans for the future? We are working on an exhibit for the second floor bunkrooms that will take a more human look at fighting fires. It will examine topics such as pride, teamwork, service and sacrifice that are universal aspects of being a firefighter, whether it be in the 1850s, 1950s, or today. We will also be participating in several local parades and fire apparatus shows throughout the summer -- check our website for more details. And of course, as school lets out, and the weather heats up we'd like to invite everyone to visit the "HOTTEST museum in town - the Aurora Regional Fire Museum." Q: What are your thoughts on September 11th? We have a leather fire bucket in our collection. In the 1850s, and even before the organized fire department of Aurora, citizens passed buckets of water from hand-to-hand to battle the blazes of their neighbors. In those early days of firefighting it was teamwork that got the job done. One hundred and fifty years later, as we watched the rescue efforts at the World Trade Center unfold on TV, I was struck by the fact that with all the resources of the modern world, the rescue workers resorted to teamwork (and buckets) to get the job done. Q: October 6-12, 2005 is Fire Prevention week, what are some of your thoughts or suggestions for this time of year? Fire Prevention Week commemorates the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and serves as a reminder to be vigilant against fire. This year's fire prevention theme is "Teamwork fights fire." In the 1800s, homeowners were required to maintain two buckets for each chimmeny they had in their home. These buckets were required to be hung in the ready. In the event of a fire, these buckets were rushed to the scene where two lines would form between a water source and the fire. One line would pass filled buckets to the front, while the second returned the empties to be filled. All members of a community (men women even children) would participate in these bucket brigades because fire was seen as a threat to the entire community. Likewise today -- men women and children should know and participate in some simple fire prevention drills. Fire is (and should always be viewed) as a community threat. | Press Releases | Press Coverage |