Newton Fire Museum

05/25/2024

It is with profound sadness that the Newton Volunteer Fire Department announces the passing of our esteemed Ex-Chief and Life Member, Edmund Zukowski.

Chief Zukowski joined the Newton Fire Department in December of 1968, serving in various crucial capacities throughout his tenure. From department secretary and treasurer to assistant fire chief from January 1990 to December 1993, and ultimately chief of the department from January 1994 to December 1994, he demonstrated unwavering dedication.

In addition to his service within the department, Chief Zukowski generously shared his expertise as an instructor at the Sussex County Fire Academy from 1997 to 2004. Furthermore, he played a vital role as an inspector with the Newton Fire Prevention Bureau from 1998 to 2010.

Chief Zukowski's extraordinary bravery was recognized when he received the life-saving medal for rescuing numerous lives during a harrowing jail fire in June of 1971. The Sussex County Freeholder Board also commended his exceptional acts of valor during that incident.

Chief Zukowski's commitment to serving the public extended throughout his entire life, encompassing not only the town of Newton but also the wider community of Sussex County, where he imparted his knowledge to new and aspiring firefighters.

We will forever cherish the memories and moments shared with Chief Zukowski. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family during this challenging time.

Rest peacefully, Chief. We have the watch from here.

Rest in Peace Chief Edmund Zukowski

12/10/1943 to 05/23/2024.

Services for Chief Zukowski will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with firemen services commencing at 8:00 PM at the Iliff Ruggiero Funeral Home. The funeral for Chief Zukowski will take place on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.

It is requested for any fire departments attending the services to show up in Class A uniform or proper attires.

11/04/2022

Thanks Adam Savage for sharing our enthusiasm for the highly nuanced history of firefighting in America! The Halligan tool is just one of many tools in our collection which were borne of necessity and have their own interesting histories and origins.

Earlier this year, Adam shared a list of his favorite pry bars, including a firefighter Pro-Bar. However, he neglected to describe the incredible origins of ...

10/24/2022

The Town of Newton is once again holding their Flags of Honor ceremony - a moving and fitting tribute to our veterans. By purchasing a flag to honor a veteran, your contribution goes to support Community Hope's Hope for Veterans Program which ensures a safe haven for homeless and disabled Veterans every day.
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Honor our veterans by donating before the Flags of Honor deadline on October 28th - just scan the QR code!
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There will also be a dedication Ceremony on Saturday, November 5th, at 11am
on the front lawn of the Newton Municipal Building. All honorees, families, and
residents are invited!
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If you have any questions, please contact the Town of Newton Recreation Department at
[email protected] or 973-383-3521 ext. 231.
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10/23/2022

The Holiday season and family get togethers are rapidly approaching. Why not give the gift of Sussex County history to your family and friends this year? The Historical Society has updated the book store on our website. We are currently offering a Sussex County Sampler. This is a group of four publications. First is High Point of the Blue Mountains by Ronald J. Dupont Jr. and Kevin Wright, the definitive history of High Point from prehistory through the Kusar family to the development of the park. Next we have a reprint of the classic That Ancient Trail by Amelia Stickney Decker about the Old Mine Road. For the cemetery fans we have Behold and See, As You Pass By, a selection of epitaphs from the Old Cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta 1787-1924 written by Mary Elinor Eppler. And last we have a pamphlet Sussex County Place Names by Myra Snook. It lists some of the early place names in the county with a brief history. To order go to our website http://www.sussexhistory.org/ and click on the “shop” tab and make your selection. PayPal is accepted.

05/22/2022

SPRING SALE!
One of the more popular items in our online bookstore is the 1860 Hopkins Map Book of Sussex County. This is a 12” by 17” large format booklet with a single township printed on each page. This Hopkins map of Sussex County shows grist and saw mills, school houses, wheelright, blacksmith and paint shops, lime kilns, roads, streams as well as residences and their owners. We are fortunate that Hopkins chose to favor us with his careful work. As a special offer we are selling the Map Book with the Alphabetical Index, compiled by Richard M. Stevens, for the price of $27. This Index is an alphabetical listing of all the names which occur on the 1860 Map of Sussex County in New Jersey produced by G.M. Hopkins, Jr., C.E. Each name is presumably associated with a house or other building such as a shop or mill. The name is supposed to be the property owner, and most have been confirmed from deed or census records. To purchase this offer go to our website at http://www.sussexhistory.org and click on the “shop” tab and look for the Map Book and Index Combo. Share some Sussex County history. Paypal is accepted.

07/26/2019

Maybe it's time to revisit this project... 🤔

05/18/2019

Happy International ! 🙌🏻 Celebrate by stopping by the Sussex County Historical Society - NJ and learning about our county.

01/12/2019

Journal reveals a lot about early schools in NJ. Fun fact..."in 1831, there were 133 school districts in the state that had no outhouse at all. Of this number, 35 were located in Sussex County." Not directly fire related, but still awesome!

SANDYSTON -- Christmas arrived early in Sandyston Township this year when a near 2-century-old journal was presented to the Sandyston Township Historical Society. Society President Patte Frato says that the minutes of the former Union (Fisher) School, ...

12/10/2018

11/19/2018

Preparation for major events takes a lot of time for any organization. The Sussex Borough Fire Department began planning for its first Sussex Firemen's Parade more than six months before the Sept. 26, 1912, event.

10/05/2018

NEWTON -- Tucked away on Spring Street in the heart of Newton, is a quiet and unassuming brick building. Built in 1891, the structure, originally a firehouse, is now home to the Newton Fire Museum.

06/04/2017

The tradition continues this year as the Newton Fire Department hosts the Sussex County Firemen's Association Inspection Day and Parade on October 7, 2017 in Newton.

A parade of local firemen and their equipment will bring out a lot of bystanders to cheer them on. Thursday, Oct. 26, 1905, was the date set for the annual Newton Firemen's Parade and Inspection.