The New York City Fire Museum is finally reopening after over two years of closure, representatives of the Hudson Square institution told amNewYork.
The museum, which houses historic NYC firefighting artifacts and memorabilia — many dating back to the era of the horse-drawn apparatus — has been closed since May 2024 due to concerns about the building’s structural integrity. Located in a renovated 1904 firehouse at 278 Spring St., the museum will once again open to the public on Aug. 20.
The reopening occurs just weeks before the city and country mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — the deadliest day in Fire Department history.
Dominick Robert DeRubbio, who became executive director last year and is the son of a 9/11 first responder, said he is excited to reopen the doors and share the experience with the many people who supported the museum before and during its renovation.
“It’s really going to be a thank you to everyone who has supported us so far,” he said. “They just really speak to the future of the museum.”
The three-floor official FDNY museum underwent both structural and aesthetic renovations during its closure, including new flooring, a renovated roof, upgraded HVAC and other enhancements throughout the building — all while the thousands of artifacts on display were kept in place.
“There was a significant amount of spring cleaning that happened here,” he said. “But mostly everything stayed in place in terms of the objects.”
A handful of those objects include tools, uniforms, vintage apparatus series, and much more.
But there are new features, too. The museum’s entrance has new flooring adorned with enlarged patches from EMS and FDNY houses across the Big Apple.
“We tried to get the majority of houses in the city so if people come in, they just feel welcomed,” DeRubbio shared.
The new flooring.Photo courtesy New York City Fire Museum
Workers repaired the historic building’s roof with support from the City Council and individual donors. NYC Council Members Christopher Marte (Lower Manhattan) and Joann Ariola (Queens) worked with Speaker Julie Menin to secure nearly $1 million to fund roof repairs needed to reopen the museum.
“For more than 120 years, the NYC Fire Museum has preserved the history and legacy of the FDNY, and countless New Yorkers have fought hard to keep it standing,” Menin said. “Telling the stories of the brave men and women who serve our city has always mattered to me, which is why the council proudly approved $900,000 in this year’s budget to help fund critical repairs.
Like DeRubbio, the speaker expressed gratitude for the private donations that helped make the reopening possible.
“The greatest credit belongs to the supporters and donors who rallied to save this institution when it needed them most,” the speaker added.
The city fire department’s early horse-drawn apparatus.Photo courtesy New York City Fire Museum
Marte said he and his team are looking forward to the reopening, especially as the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on America approaches.
“We look forward to welcoming this beloved institution back, especially as we approach the 25th anniversary of September 11,” he shared. “We must never forget the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of our first responders, and the Fire Museum ensures that their legacy lives on for future generations.”
The first 9/11 family member to run the museum
For DeRubbio, the museum’s reopening is deeply personal. He is the first 9/11 family member to lead the museum.
“I lost my uncle, David Paul DeRubbio, in the Towers. He was in Engine 226 in Brooklyn,” the executive director shared. “My three uncles were on the job in Brooklyn engine companies. My dad was a retired battalion chief in safety commands. So I kind of grew up in this world.”
DeRubbio’s father also responded to the attacks on 9/11 and was fortunate to survive. DeRubbio sees the museum as a tribute to everyone who lost their lives that day, including the 343 FDNY members who made the ultimate sacrifice.
In fact, the museum is home to the first permanent memorial to the firefighters who died on that tragic day. Located on the first floor, it is a sky-lit tribute to the heroes of 9/11 that includes a black marble and tile memorial with pictures of the firefighters lost in the attacks. Cases display tools used and items recovered from the Ground Zero recovery effort. A wall-size timeline chronicling that day’s tragic events.
Museum reps have also been working to create a World Trade Center responder bell, which will be on display at the museum soon. DeRubbio said it will permanently honor the FDNY responders who died from illnesses connected to their work at Ground Zero in the days, weeks and months following the attacks, as well as the first responders from other agencies who served alongside them in the recovery efforts.
“When I took this position in October, I realized we had nothing for the sick members of the FDNY, and also responders who served side-by-side with them. So we reached out to a bell foundry — the oldest bell foundry in the world — 800 years old, the Mollineri Foundry in Italy.”
The 200-pound bell was recently cast in Agnone, Italy. DeRubbio said he is working on plans to respectfully bring it to the museum with a uniformed escort and hopes to unveil it in time for the 9/11 anniversary.
Inviting New Yorkers and visitors to learn about 9/11
Reopening the museum was a group effort that was supported by many people, including the City Council, New Yorkers, and museum reps, including DeRubbio.
Rescue 1 at 278 Spring St., where the NYC Fire Museum is located today. They were located at the site for 27 years.Photo courtesy New York City Fire Museum
Council Member Ariola, chair of the council’s committee on fire and emergency management, acknowledged the work done to reopen the museum.
“This was a win-win for everybody. Most importantly, the Fire Museum,” she said.
She added that reopening the museum ahead of the 9/11 anniversary was especially important to help educate younger generations about the horrific events and ensure the history is not forgotten.
“It’s the 25th anniversary. This museum needed to be open,” she said. “We have so many people who were not born when 9/11 happened. So this is a museum that they can go to and learn about it. I know we have the 9/11 Museum and Memorial, but there should be this museum as well.”
The NYC Fire Museum will reopen on Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. For more information about visiting, including admission and hours of operation, visit its website at nycfiremuseum.org.