The mission of the Fire Museum of Maryland is to collect, preserve, display and interpret historically significant apparatus and related artifacts, memorabilia and records of the fire serve in the United States; and to educate the public and the history, people, equipment and techniques of the fire service, and about fire prevention and safety.

Description:
The Museum is home to America's most comprehensive collection of fire apparatus in the country. More than 43 piece of equipment are on permanent display. Visitors can take a guided audio tour of the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904, visit a working fire alarm office, sit behind the wheel of a 1938 Mack fire engine in the children's Discovery Room and dress up as a fire fighter or shop in the Museum Store. The displays are carefully divided into historical periods so that visitors can easily follow the evolution of fire fighting in America. Not just an ordinary Museum, it is brought alive with films and video displays that show every major period of fire fighting history.

History:
Stephen G. Heaver, Sr. and his son, Stephen, Jr., founded the Museum in 1971. When Steve, Jr., was 12, his father brought the first piece of equipment, a 1928 American-LaFrance pumper; a second piece, a 1922 Ahrens-Fox; and a third piece, a 1926 mack Bulldog. They had a variety of shops and storage facilities and moved from one place to another, while searching for the ideal spot. They had always dreamed of starting a museum.

In 1970, they visited the Long Island Old Fire Engine Museum owned and operated by Nicholas Dionisio, who told them that he was selling his collection so that he could retire and travel. Mr. Heaver bought his hand-and-horse-drawn collection, and combined it with their collection, which was almost all motorized. A warehouse-size building was built and the home of the Fire Museum of Maryland was established September, 1971.

Contact people:

Melissa Heaver, Registrar, (phone), (email) Steve Heaver, Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

1301 York Road Lutherville, MD 21093 (See a map)

Directions:

Exit 26B from the Baltimore Beltway (I-695). Go about 1/4 mile and turn right onto Greenridge Road Second driveway on your left will take you directly to the Museum. Parking is available behind Heaver Plaza.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: n/a,   Walk distance (in minutes): n/a   Nearest Bus Stop: 8 or 9, 1 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Does this agency accept court appointed volunteers?
	No