Journey through the history of firefighting in America! This exhibition will explore firefighting from the American Revolution through the late 19th century with a variety of remarkable objects from the firefighting collections of the National Museum of American History. Highlighting an impressive array of model fire trucks, the exhibition will also include historic firefighting equipment: buckets, helmets, trumpets, parade hats, and more.

Learn what role firemen (from early volunteer firefighters to members in the first municipal fire department) played in civic, social, and political life. Discover how major historical fires like the Chicago Fire of 1871 reflect the successes, limitations, and innovations of firefighting at the time.

This hot exhibition also highlights firefighters themselves, whether the average citizen with a bucket in 1750 or the uniformed volunteer manning the latest pumper in 1850. It begins with an introductory section comparing and contrasting 19th century and contemporary firefighting practices. Three sections follow: firefighting in the 18th century, from the 1790s–1820s, and from the mid- to late-19th century. Each section documents a specific historical fire and specific firefighter, allowing the visitor to make direct connections to a real-life event. Where's the Fire? A Journey Through American Firefighting has grassroots appeal for any community across the country.

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