Jefferson City Fire Museum, Jefferson City

A team of dedicated volunteers can accomplish major goals, as evidenced by the Jefferson City Fire Museum. This fascinating time capsule of mid-Missouri fire-fighting history is the result of countless hours of volunteer labor and leadership, as well as generous donations from personal collections.

Housed in the city’s original Fire Station 2, the museum features vintage pumpers and hose carts, a 1956 fire engine, two authentic poles, vintage equipment and gear and a re-creation of the living quarters of early fire fighters. Displays with signage explain major events in the city’s and the fire department’s history.

“In 2012, the fire department celebrated 100 years of full-time professional fire service for Jefferson City,” says Capt. Steve Holtmeier of the Jefferson City Fire Department. “I was the vice-president of the Centennial celebration and volunteered to be president of the museum, which was the idea of local fire fighters.”

The city owned the limestone building, but it had been structurally modified over the years. The distinctive vertical folding wooden doors with windows had been replaced with roll-up metal doors. Using historical photos for reference, carpenters in nearby Freedom re-created the original style of doors. The goal was to restore the building as it was from 1935 to 1971.

While some volunteers were renovating the building, others were preparing the exhibits. Many of the artifacts were donated by two people. Sherl Frandsen, the city’s first woman firefighter whose father and brother were also firefighters, and Bob Wilbers, retired firefighter, had both been collecting historical memorabilia for years and were instrumental in the development of the museum.

The museum features the garage on the first floor and the living quarters on the second floor. Two authentic fire poles connect the floors. The attached four-story tower was used for high-rise fire-fighting training. The building is a Designated Landmark of the city.

Two key events shaped the city’s fire department history. In 1837, the Missouri State Capitol burned as a result of a flue fire. At the time, the city had a volunteer fire department. In 1911, the Capitol burned, again, this time after the dome was hit by lightning. In response to the 1911 fire, Sedalia and St. Charles tried to have the Capitol moved to their cities. In order to keep the Capitol in Jefferson City, the city established a full-time professional fire department in 1912.

Jefferson City Fire Museum is located at 911 East Miller Street and is open by appointment only. There is no admission fee, but donations are welcome. Call 573-634-6426 or email jeffersoncityfiremuseum@gmail.com. The building can be rented for private events. The upper floor of the museum is not handicap accessible. For more information, visit Jefferson City Fire Museum on Facebook or www.firemuseumjc.com.