Oklahoma State Firefighter Museum
Encyclopedia
The Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum is a museum
owned and administered by the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association (OSFA). The museum is financed by the dues collected from more than 8,000 firefighters, and is located at 2716 N.E. 50th Street in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
. Groundbreaking for the museum building was performed on April 6, 1967 and was completed in 1969. The building houses the museum, the (OSFA), the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association (OFCA), the Council on Firefighter Training (COFT) and the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association (ORFA) offices.
The museum is devoted entirely to the preservation and display of antique fire apparatus
and equipment. It contains a remarkable collection of antique gear, dating back to the mid-18th century, and also holds the first fire station
in Oklahoma Territory
, built in 1864. Many items from the oldest fire company in the United States
, commanded by Benjamin Franklin
, are on display. Exhibits also include the world's largest patch collection and the distinctive mural The Last Alarm.
John Knupple was the first Curator of the Firefighters Museum and served from June 1, 1970 until December 31, 1971. In January 1972 Sam Oruch, an active firefighter for the Oklahoma City Fire Department, became the part-time curator; after Oruch retired as a full-time firefighter, he was hired full time to care for the museum. Oruch gave tours in the Museum for over 33 years and is the last one to hold the title of curator. Jim Sanders, a veteran of the Bethany, Oklahoma
Fire Department, became the museum director in 2004. Mike Billingsley, a retired firefighter from the Nichols Hills Fire Department, is currently the museum director as of September 2006.
35°31′18"N 97°27′50"W
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
owned and administered by the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association (OSFA). The museum is financed by the dues collected from more than 8,000 firefighters, and is located at 2716 N.E. 50th Street in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
. Groundbreaking for the museum building was performed on April 6, 1967 and was completed in 1969. The building houses the museum, the (OSFA), the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association (OFCA), the Council on Firefighter Training (COFT) and the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association (ORFA) offices.
The museum is devoted entirely to the preservation and display of antique fire apparatus
Fire apparatus
A fire apparatus, fire engine, fire truck, or fire appliance is a vehicle designed to assist in fighting fires by transporting firefighters to the scene and providing them with access to the fire, along with water or other equipment...
and equipment. It contains a remarkable collection of antique gear, dating back to the mid-18th century, and also holds the first fire station
Fire station
A fire station is a structure or other area set aside for storage of firefighting apparatus , personal protective equipment, fire hose, fire extinguishers, and other fire extinguishing equipment...
in Oklahoma Territory
Oklahoma Territory
The Territory of Oklahoma was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 2, 1890, until November 16, 1907, when it was joined with the Indian Territory under a new constitution and admitted to the Union as the State of Oklahoma.-Organization:Oklahoma Territory's...
, built in 1864. Many items from the oldest fire company in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, commanded by Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
, are on display. Exhibits also include the world's largest patch collection and the distinctive mural The Last Alarm.
John Knupple was the first Curator of the Firefighters Museum and served from June 1, 1970 until December 31, 1971. In January 1972 Sam Oruch, an active firefighter for the Oklahoma City Fire Department, became the part-time curator; after Oruch retired as a full-time firefighter, he was hired full time to care for the museum. Oruch gave tours in the Museum for over 33 years and is the last one to hold the title of curator. Jim Sanders, a veteran of the Bethany, Oklahoma
Bethany, Oklahoma
Bethany is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The population was 20,307 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bethany is located at ....
Fire Department, became the museum director in 2004. Mike Billingsley, a retired firefighter from the Nichols Hills Fire Department, is currently the museum director as of September 2006.
External links
- Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum site
- Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum information and photos on TravelOK.com Official travel and tourism website for the State of Oklahoma
- MuseumsUSA Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum Information Page
- Council on Firefighter Training
35°31′18"N 97°27′50"W