The Western Reserve Fire Museum and Education Center

04/15/2026

01/28/2026

Western Reserve Fire Museum
Upcoming Events

Annual Meeting Sunday, February 1, 2026

Mark your calendars now for our Museum’s annual Membership Meeting to be held at the Museum this Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 1:30 PM. In addition to our business meeting, the meeting will give members an opportunity to hear about the Museum’s plans for 2026 and provide input. The Museum will have pizza and beverages . As is our tradition, we encourage members to bring an appetizer or dessert to share. We look forward to good food and good stories. See you there!

12/20/2025

12/01/2025

WESTERN RESERVE FIRE MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTER
MUSEUM NEWS

Just a reminder that Santa & Mrs. Claus will be stopping by the Museum this Sunday, December 7, 2025 from 11:00am to 1:00 pm. So, mark your calendars to come down and enjoy the festivities. Admittance to the Museum will be free that day. There will be goodies for the kids with a chance to their picture taken with Santa. A great photo opportunity for the whole family, so bring your camera.

Hope to see there!

09/13/2025

Western Reserve Fire Museum & Education Center
Museum News

Join Us Today and Celebrate Dalmatian Day

Please come down and join us today from 10am – 2pm as the Museum is honoring Dalmatians, the official Firehouse Dog & Mascot.

The use of Dalmatians as Firehouse dogs dates back more than 200 years. Dalmatians would run alongside the horse drawn fire wagons to defend the horses against other animals. They would also keep the horses calm as they approached the fire and would stand guard near the wagon to ensure no one would steal the horses, their belongings or equipment
Dalmatians are welcome to this event and to partake in our doggie splash pool and doggie treats. There will be treats for humans as well, hotdogs, popcorn and cold beverages. There will be games and activities for the kids as well as fire safety lectures. This is a free event. It should be dog gone fun and we hope to see you there!

09/02/2025

IMPORTANT MESSAGE!!!

WRFBA's 2nd Annual Antique Fire Engine Show sponsored by the Museum for this Saturday, September 6th at Hart Crane Park form 9am -3pm has been CANCELLED due to unexpected unforeseen issues with the venue. We apologize for the last minute notice and any inconvenience this may have caused.

For more information please contact [email protected]

08/30/2025

Western Reserve Fire Museum & Education Center
Museum News

DALMATIAN CELEBRATION SATURDAY, SEPT. 13TH

Please come join us for an afternoon of fun! The Museum is having a Dalmatian Celebration, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 from 10am – 2pm. That day we will be honoring Dalmatians, the official Firehouse Dog & Mascot.

The use of Dalmatians as Firehouse dogs dates back more than 200 years. Dalmatians would run alongside the horse drawn fire wagons to defend the horses against other animals. They would also keep the horses calm as they approached the fire and would stand guard near the wagon to ensure no one would steal the horses, their belongings or equipment.

Dalmatians are welcome to this event and to partake in our doggie splash pool and doggie treats. There will be treats for humans as well, hotdogs, popcorn and cold beverages. There will be games and activities for the kids as well as fire safety lectures. This is a free event. It should be dog gone fun and we hope to see you there!

08/08/2025

Western Reserve Fire Museum
Upcoming Event

The Inventions and Life of Garrett A. Morgan

The Museum is excited to have the Sandra Morgan, Karren Morgan and Garrett Morgan III, the grandchildren of Garrett A. Morgan tell the fascinating story of their grandfather Garrett A. Morgan on Sunday, August 10, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the Museum. This amazing inventor changed firefighting with the invention of the smoke mask, the precursor to the SCBA we have today. Hear the story of how he came to settle in Cleveland, and the important role he played as an entrepreneur, inventor and civic leader in Northeast Ohio. This program is brought to you in part by a grant from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.

This is a free event open to the public. However, space is limited. So reservations are required by August 9, 2025. No one will be admitted without a prior reservation.

07/07/2025

Western Reserve Fire Museum
Museum News

Apparatus Day is This Saturday!

This Saturday, July 12th is Apparatus Day at the Museum! So, come down and enjoy the festivities from 10am – 2pm. There will be a mix of fire trucks by various manufacturers, restored and original, on display on the front plaza in front of the Museum. This year we will be featuring American LaFrance. Hotdogs, popcorn, and beverages will be available for visitors to enjoy while looking at these beautiful pieces of firefighting history. There will be activities for the kids and visitors will have a chance to enjoy our current exhibit, “Ohio the Heart of Fire Apparatus Manufacturing” on display in the Mandel Gallery. Museum tours will be available. Standard admission rates apply. A fun-filled day for the whole family.

All manufacturers are welcome for this event. Anyone interested in displaying a vehicle please call the Museum at 216-664-6312.

05/17/2025

Western Reserve Fire Museum & Education
Museum News

Special Presentation, May 18th by Ted Elder

The Museum is presenting a special program on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the Museum in our newly opened second floor event space. The program is in conjunction with our exhibit featuring Ohio fire apparatus and equipment manufacturers ranging from the Columbus built Seagrave pumper on display to the Dayton manufactured Roto-ray lights mounted on the wall. No one could be better at explaining Ohio’s role in the fire equipment industry than Ted Elder of Kidron, Ohio. Ted graduated from the University of Akron in Fire Protection Technology with a Bachelor’s in Technical Education. He has served with Cuyahoga Falls, Wooster Fire Department, and the Kidron Volunteer Fire Department. He is currently Assistant Chief of the Village of Dalton fire department. Ted has also been an instructor at the University of Akron in their Fire Protection Technology program.

Ted’s program will feature the significant contributions of Ohio fire apparatus and equipment manufacturers which supplied fire equipment throughout the United States and internationally. This includes the predecessors to the famous Ahrens-Fox fire apparatus company of Cincinnati which created America’s first steam fire engines. Also featured will be the Seagrave Corporation of Columbus with their spring raised ladders and centrifugal pumpers. Ted will also discuss more modern developments and manufacturers such as the Sutphen corporation of the Columbus area.

This is sure to be an interesting discussion for anyone who loves fire apparatus or Ohio History. This program is brought to you in part by a grant from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture. Hope to see you there.