Engine Co 3

After years of planning, collecting, restoring, and building, the Engine Co. 3 Museum is entering its final stages of development and is preparing for a soft launch for friends, supporters, and invited guests in early July 2026.

What began as a passion project dedicated to preserving the history, traditions, and memories of the fire service has grown into a unique museum experience that celebrates generations of firefighters and the equipment, apparatus, and stories that helped shape our communities.

Since construction began in 2022, countless hours have been invested in creating a space where current and former firefighters, their families, and members of the public can reconnect with the rich history of the fire service. Every display, artifact, photograph, and piece of apparatus has been carefully selected with the goal of preserving the legacy of those who served before us.

Among the museum’s featured exhibits is a beautifully restored 1984 Mack CF pumper, along with a growing collection of historic firefighting equipment, memorabilia, photographs, helmets, uniforms, and artifacts that tell the story of the fire service through the decades. Visitors will also find displays highlighting both local history and the broader evolution of firefighting across the United States.

The museum was founded on a simple belief: the history of the fire service deserves to be preserved and shared. For many firefighters, stepping into the museum will be like stepping back in time—reconnecting with the apparatus they rode, the equipment they used, and the memories they made alongside fellow firefighters.

The upcoming soft launch will provide an opportunity for supporters who have followed the museum’s journey from the beginning to see the progress firsthand. While some finishing touches and exhibit enhancements will continue beyond the opening, visitors will experience the vision that has driven this project from day one.

The Engine Co. 3 Museum would like to thank the many friends, supporters, collectors, firefighters, family members, and community members who have encouraged and supported this effort over the years. This museum would not exist without their generosity, enthusiasm, and belief in the importance of preserving our shared history.

Additional information regarding future public visiting opportunities, special events, and official opening plans will be announced in the coming months.

As we approach this exciting milestone, we look forward to welcoming visitors and sharing a collection that honors the firefighters of yesterday, inspires the firefighters of today, and preserves the stories that might otherwise be lost to time.

The journey is not quite over—but we can finally see the finish line.

“There comes a point where a project stops being a building and becomes something much more. For me, this museum is about preserving memories, honoring those who came before us, and creating a place where firefighters can reconnect with a piece of their past. If you build it, they will come—and we’re almost ready to open the doors.”

— Sean O’Connor, Founder & Curator, Engine Co. 3 Museum