Monday, August 19, 2013

Fireman’s Hall, Philadelphia

When we were younger, we all had different types of ambitions – and perhaps some of us even had the dream and ambition of becoming a fireman when we grow up. But, just how many of us would actually see this dream or ambition become a reality? Maybe not for many of us, but that should not prevent us from chartering a PA bus and dropping by the Fireman’s Hall at 149 N. Second, Philadelphia, to visit the museum to learn about the life of a fireman.

When you are visiting the Fireman’s Hall Museum, you don’t have to worry about finding the place, as the chartered PA rental bus driver knows the place very well. It is located in a restored firehouse, right in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic Old City district and is also said to be one of the country’s first fire museums. The unique thing about this museum is that they have “real” firemen on duty to share with you about firefighting and the kinds of tools they would use during their course of work. The Fireman’s Hall Museum works at preserving the ongoing history of firefighting in PA through their collection and preservation of the artifacts and tools used as well as educating and encouraging the public on fire prevention practices.

The Fireman’s Hall Museum is closed on Sundays, Mondays and major holidays, while they are open from 10am till 4.30pm on Tuesdays to Saturdays. They are also open from 10am till 9pm on the first Friday of each month. As you step down from the PA charter bus, and enter into the museum, you will be asked to log yourself into a logbook as if you are a visitor coming to visit an actual fire house that is in operation. After that, you are in for an amazing tour in the museum with an actual fireman on duty, who will be more than glad to answer your questions and give you a demonstration of the old alarm system. There are also antique fire trucks and steamers that are being exhibited in the apparatus room, while you will find more interactive displays on the top floor of the museum. While the Fireman’s Hall does not have an entrance fee or ticket charges for visitors, they do depend on donations from the public in order to maintain the place, so do consider giving a donation before you hop on the PA chartered bus to head home.