About us
History of the Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre
Beginning in 1987, an effort began to preserve the history of the Cambridge Fire Department and its predecessor departments in Galt, Preston and Hespeler.
As recounted by Cambridge Firefighter Jim Westwood in the Cambridge Reporter newspaper on June 24, 1987, under the headline Firefighters Build Archives From Treasure of Smokey Past, "Most fire departments have records back into the 1800s, but when [Cambridge was amalgamated in 1973], almost nothing was kept."
“A lot of what was left we keep in the (fire department) archives.” The present “archives” consists of a walk-in closet at Fire Station 4 on St. Andrews Street, bulging with boxes of papers, old clothing and pieces of equipment bearing old, out of use acronyms like HFD, PFD and GFD. Firefighters Bob Toth and Dave Pylypiw are also involved in the recent push to establish a complete archives, and Fire Chief Bill Brown is giving all the support he can to the three, as they volunteer their time. They’re also getting help from the city’s archives and the local firefighter’s association."
In the months and years that followed, thousands of artifacts, photographs and documents were gathered for the Cambridge Fire Department archives. In 1988/89, the City acquired the original 1938 fire truck used at the Galt Fire Hall; it was proposed that a display be established with the truck and other artifacts in the vehicle bay of Fire Station #3 in the Preston area of Cambridge. Two years later in 1991, the City of Cambridge Archives mounted an exhibit - Sirens, Bells and Smoke Eaters - about the history of firefighting in the community.
In November 1997 Firefighter Jim Westwood authored a proposal to turn the 1898 Galt Fire Hall at 56 Dickson Street into a museum and education centre. "Under the city's core areas revitalization strategy, the old Dickson Street fire hall is already earmarked to become a possible museum. But just what type of museum has yet to be determined by council." ("Fire Hall Museum Ties In With 100th Birthday Chief Hopes To Create History At Old Dickson Street Building", Cambridge Times, September 30, 1998). Chief Terry Allen presented the proposal to City Council in December 1998; Council accepted the proposal "in principle". Reports to Council and negotiations followed, with an agreement reached in December 2001 to establish a museum in the old Fire Hall.
A gala opening of the Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre took place on Saturday, June 26, 2004 with "a large parade ... [of] emergency services vehicles from across the province, including at least 30 fire trucks. ... Following the parade, a hose cutting ceremony will mark the official opening of the new museum and education centre" ("Parade Kicks Off Opening Of Fire Hall Museum", Cambridge Times, June 22, 2004).
History of the Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre
Beginning in 1987, an effort began to preserve the history of the Cambridge Fire Department and its predecessor departments in Galt, Preston and Hespeler.
As recounted by Cambridge Firefighter Jim Westwood in the Cambridge Reporter newspaper on June 24, 1987, under the headline Firefighters Build Archives From Treasure of Smokey Past, "Most fire departments have records back into the 1800s, but when [Cambridge was amalgamated in 1973], almost nothing was kept."
“A lot of what was left we keep in the (fire department) archives.” The present “archives” consists of a walk-in closet at Fire Station 4 on St. Andrews Street, bulging with boxes of papers, old clothing and pieces of equipment bearing old, out of use acronyms like HFD, PFD and GFD. Firefighters Bob Toth and Dave Pylypiw are also involved in the recent push to establish a complete archives, and Fire Chief Bill Brown is giving all the support he can to the three, as they volunteer their time. They’re also getting help from the city’s archives and the local firefighter’s association."
In the months and years that followed, thousands of artifacts, photographs and documents were gathered for the Cambridge Fire Department archives. In 1988/89, the City acquired the original 1938 fire truck used at the Galt Fire Hall; it was proposed that a display be established with the truck and other artifacts in the vehicle bay of Fire Station #3 in the Preston area of Cambridge. Two years later in 1991, the City of Cambridge Archives mounted an exhibit - Sirens, Bells and Smoke Eaters - about the history of firefighting in the community.
In November 1997 Firefighter Jim Westwood authored a proposal to turn the 1898 Galt Fire Hall at 56 Dickson Street into a museum and education centre. "Under the city's core areas revitalization strategy, the old Dickson Street fire hall is already earmarked to become a possible museum. But just what type of museum has yet to be determined by council." ("Fire Hall Museum Ties In With 100th Birthday Chief Hopes To Create History At Old Dickson Street Building", Cambridge Times, September 30, 1998). Chief Terry Allen presented the proposal to City Council in December 1998; Council accepted the proposal "in principle". Reports to Council and negotiations followed, with an agreement reached in December 2001 to establish a museum in the old Fire Hall.
A gala opening of the Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre took place on Saturday, June 26, 2004 with "a large parade ... [of] emergency services vehicles from across the province, including at least 30 fire trucks. ... Following the parade, a hose cutting ceremony will mark the official opening of the new museum and education centre" ("Parade Kicks Off Opening Of Fire Hall Museum", Cambridge Times, June 22, 2004).
Charitable Status
The Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre is a not-for-profit organization run by a community-based board of volunteers. The Museum is designated by Canada Revenue Agency as a registered charity - Charitable Registration Number 864438593RR0001.
The building is owned by the City of Cambridge; it is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act as a property of architectural and historical significance. Designation was approved by City Council in July 1984 under City of Cambridge By-law 169-84.
The Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre is a not-for-profit organization run by a community-based board of volunteers. The Museum is designated by Canada Revenue Agency as a registered charity - Charitable Registration Number 864438593RR0001.
The building is owned by the City of Cambridge; it is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act as a property of architectural and historical significance. Designation was approved by City Council in July 1984 under City of Cambridge By-law 169-84.
Board of Directors (2024)
Rob Brisson, Chair
Ray Martin, Vice Chair
Bryan Pinder, Treasurer
Brad Churchill, Deputy Fire Chief - Operations
Mike Devine, City of Cambridge Council
John Forsyth, Director
Ingrid Talpak, Director
Bob Toth, Director and Founder
Rob Brisson, Chair
Ray Martin, Vice Chair
Bryan Pinder, Treasurer
Brad Churchill, Deputy Fire Chief - Operations
Mike Devine, City of Cambridge Council
John Forsyth, Director
Ingrid Talpak, Director
Bob Toth, Director and Founder
