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Grant’s Fire Museum

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United States
Norwich, NY
Grant’s Fire Museum

Preserving the history of the fire service
Home of Engine 162
Former quarters of Ontario Hose Co # 3

12/06/2025

It is with profound regret that Grant’s Fire Museum announces the passing of Carol Wagner, wife of Lead Museum Volunteer Joseph Wagner.

Carol was known for her smiling and welcoming spirit. Since day one, Carol loved the idea of turning the Sheldon Street station into a fire museum, as she shared many memories at Sheldon Street with her husband, Joe. Carol served the city as a Norwich Fire Auxiliary member and as a 'fire wife.' Our very own lead museum volunteer, Joe, will tell stories about when it was 'her turn' to make phone calls to firefighters whenever Norwich would have a call to respond to a job; a select group of firefighters' wives were given this task. We want to thank Carol for her service to the citizens of Norwich and thank you for supporting our museum since the very beginning. Your support and impact will never be forgotten.

Please keep the Wagner family in your thoughts as they navigate this difficult loss.

Andrew T. Grant
Museum Director

11/28/2025

GFM is pleased to announce the date for our Annual Open House!

July 25th, 2026 at 1 PM.

Join us for this special celebration and explore around 200 years of fire service history from across New York State.

We extend our sincerest gratitude for your support over the years and look forward to seeing you there!

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

08/28/2025

🚒We’re open this Saturday, 8/30, 10am to 3pm!🚒

07/28/2025

Five years ago, I began a journey that's been a lifelong dream of mine. Thousands of hours worked, countless moments of sacrifice and perseverance to turn this dream into a reality - owning my own fire museum. The outpouring of support l've received has left me speechless, and I'm grateful for everyone who made our 5th Anniversary celebration unforgettable.

I stumbled upon 48 Sheldon St serendipitously while browsing Facebook Marketplace, and after a conversation with the seller, I discovered it was an old firehouse, which sparked immense curiosity within me. That weekend, I traveled to meet the owners, Ed Hooke and Sophie Liberatore, and fell deeply in love with the building. In that moment, I knew this was where my dreams would take flight. After purchasing the property, Ed and Sophie introduced me to Norwich FD's Fire Chief, Jan Papalino, who warmly welcomed me and connected me with the Ontario Hose Company, a remarkable group that once operated out of the Sheldon Street station, embracing me with open hearts.

One day shortly after I started working on the building, a stranger knocked on my door, sparking a transformative friendship. He introduced himself as Joe Wagner, a passionate fire memorabilia collector and historian. As our bond grew, Joe would stop by whenever I was in town, sharing his wealth of knowledge on the building's history, fire service heritage, and preservation techniques. Through his guidance, I've gained a profound understanding of this passion, and Joe has become my trusted mentor. He'd often open up the building on Saturdays, checking in on it, and I've created a warm space for him and fellow members to relive memories, share laughter, and stories of the past, which is truly fulfilling.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to these fantastic people, friends, and family for their tireless efforts in helping me build this extraordinary dream over the last 5 years. Here's to many more years of pursuing my passion!

A special thanks to the Newark Valley Fire Department for bringing their 1914 Federal Fire Truck, which was the first motorized fire apparatus of the Ontario Hose Company and Rodger Ree for displaying his Catskills Game Farm truck.

Andrew T. Grant
Museum Director

07/26/2025

Today is the big day, ceremony at 1PM! 🚒

07/14/2025

In keeping with our mission to honor our fellow firefighters, Grant’s Fire Museum provided lunch again for the on-duty Norwich Firefighters Association IAFF local 1404, who welcomed three new firefighters these past few weeks. Training Captain Gerald Parry initiated a tradition of bringing new members to the museum to educate them on the department's history and the fire service in general.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to Career Captain William Ballin III for his generosity in donating his old Captain's helmet, which has been with him throughout his 19+ year career.

Our 5th Anniversary celebration is only 12 days away, and we invite you to visit the museum and explore its rich history on July 26th at 1 PM.

Norwich Firefighters Association
Ontario Hose Company #3

07/13/2025

Forty-eight years ago today, on Wednesday, July 13, 1977, at 8:34 p.m., the Buchanan Engine Company responded to a lightning strike at the Buchanan South substation. This substation played a crucial role in converting 345,000 volts of electricity from the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant to lower voltage for commercial use. The initial responding units were faced with a complex transformer fire of considerable size, which would continue to burn into the following day. This fire would ultimately secure a place in international history. The combination of this fire and other contributing factors resulted in a power outage affecting New York City for over 25 hours. Engine 162 was among the first apparatus to respond and narrowly escaped damage from subsequent explosions, which injured a Buchanan firefighter. Chief of Department Andy Cody was in command of the fire.

Buchanan Eng Co.

07/09/2025

The original Ontario Station Gong Bell has been returned home! We would like to thank Ontario Hose Member and Museum Volunteer Dan Ackermann for pitching this idea to the Norwich fire council and for helping hang the bell in its original spot Monday morning. We also want to thank Norwich Fire Chief Jan Papelino for selling the idea to the city council and thank them for their approval.

Monday evening, we were honored to host the Ontario Hose Company's monthly meeting. It was the first time the company had held a meeting at Sheldon St in 20 years. Members had a chance to check out the bell and approve other artifacts that will be displayed in the new Ontario Hose/Norwich Fire display. As always, we thank them for their everlasting support.

Come check out the new Ontario Hose / Norwich Fire Dept. Display at our 5th Anniversary Celebration July 26th at 1PM.

Ontario Hose Company #3

06/16/2025

Help support our museum!! 🚒📜

Winner will be announced at our Open House / 5th Anniversary Celebration July 26th!

06/12/2025

WE’RE OPEN THIS SATURDAY!!

10 Am to 3 Pm

48 Sheldon St, Norwich, New York 13815

06/10/2025

As we mark our 5th Anniversary, we also pay tribute to our Lead Volunteer, Joseph Wagner Jr., a true champion of our museum. For 5 incredible years, Joe has been a constant source of motivation, guaranteeing the museum's seamless operation, warmly welcoming visitors and sharing his remarkable expertise.

Joe embarked on his fire service journey around 1966 as a bunk-man for the Teaneck Fire Department in Teaneck, New Jersey, where he courageously served most of his shifts on the overnights after graduating high school. Joe witnessed a multitude of fires during his time with Teaneck. In 1974, Joe relocated to Norwich with his wife Carol to begin a new chapter, and with a new town, Joe was eager to continue his passion for the fire service, joining the Ontario Hose Co. No. 3 of the City of Norwich Fire Department in 1975. Joe held numerous esteemed positions with the Ontario's, including President, Vice President, Secretary, Trustee, Fire Police lieutenant, Driver/Operator of Engine 3, and long-standing Treasurer of the company.

From a young age, Joe has nurtured a passion for collecting fire service memorabilia, resulting in a diverse collection of nearly 100 helmets sourced from worldwide locations, highlighting his interest in American high eagle helmets and early badges. Additionally, his association with the Union Historical Fire Society Spring Melt has yielded lasting bonds with fellow collectors who share his dedication.

I'd like to take a moment to personally thank Joe for sharing his vast knowledge of the service's history with me, and for his exceptional friendship, service, and commitment to our museum, the fire service, and the nation.

We hope to see you all at Grant's Fire Museum 5th
Anniversary, July 26th 2025, where we will commemorate Joe's 50 years of service with the Ontario Hose Company # 3.

Address

48 Sheldon Street
Norwich, NY
13815

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