The New York City Fire Museum reopened to the public Thursday after two years of repairs.<\/p>\n
The museum, located in a renovated 1904 firehouse at 278 Spring St., has been closed since May 2024 because of concerns about the building’s structural integrity.<\/p>\n
“I can’t believe we’re back, it’s been a long road since last October,” said Dominick DeRubbio, Executive Director of the New York City Fire Museum.<\/p>\n
The reopening happened ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the deadliest day in FDNY history. Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore attended the ceremony.<\/p>\n
DeRubbio recounted how his uncle lost his life on Sept. 11.<\/p>\n
“The members who have died and who have died from illnesses carry me throughout my day,” he said.<\/p>\n
The museum houses historic FDNY firefighting artifacts and memorabilia, including items dating to the era of horse-drawn apparatus. Despite the repairs, thousands of artifacts on display remained in place.<\/p>\n
The World Trade Center Responder Bell will arrive to the museum soon from the Marinelli Foundry in Agnone, Italy.<\/p>\n
“It’s a lasting reminder of the extraordinary bravery displayed by our members that day,” Bonsignore said of the museum. “Preserving history requires dedication.”<\/p>\n
She urged everyone to spend some time exploring the exhibits and remember that it’s all due to a story of service that never ends.<\/p>\n
Visitors will now enter through a new glass entrance featuring new flooring decorated with enlarged patches from FDNY and EMS houses across the city.<\/p>\n
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