The Kansas Firefighters Museum
The Kansas Firefighters Museum is located in the old Engine House No. 6, built in 1909. Come see what being a firefighter was like in early Wichita!
One hundred years ago, there were no firetrucks, just horses, wagons and firefighters. Engine House No. 6 was the last horsedrawn station in Wichita. By 1918 the horses were gone, and Wichita had become the first all-mechanized fire department in the United States and the second in the world.
The Kansas Firefighters Museum has thousands of items on display from all over the state, including an 1800's hand-drawn hose reel, hand-drawn chemical exhtinguisher, and an 1880's Howe handpumper. A handpumper is a pump for water that was operated by men pulling on handles on either side of the tank, not like today's tanker trucks, which are motorized. We also have on display a 1923 Ford Model-T and a 1928 Model-A set of firetrucks. There are helmets, uniforms, badges, caps, wooden water mains, hydrants, nozzles, alarms, leather buckets, ladders, axes, sirens, photographs and so much more to see.
On the first floor, visit our gift shop, buy an engraved brick, have your photograph taken on the steam pumper or ring the firebell. Upstairs you can see our collections of historic firefighting items which cover the walls from floor to ceiling. You can see the kinds of beds firefighters in Engine House No. 6 used to sleep in, and look down the brass fire pole hole. It's a terrific place to see some rare firefighting items and things you may have never seen before.
Admission is $3.00 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, $2.00 for students and kids under 5 years of age are free. Guided tours are often available; just ask!
Also, be sure to ask us about our expansion project, which will add display space and allow us to bring in additional, larger firetrucks and equipment.
