The Non-Profit Organization
The Tampa Firefighters Museum is a 501(c)(3) that shares the heritage of the department
and key fire safety education.
The Founding of the Non-Profit
During the Tampa Fire Department centennial in 1995, an interested group of firefighters spoke with historians to learn how to save the history, the stories, and the traditions of the department. Out of those meetings, The Tampa Firefighters Museum, Inc. was born.
“Old Tampa Fire
Station 1”
The retired, original firehouse from 1911, was at that time of little use to the City. The building was being used as office space and equipment storage. It was in poor condition and its fate looked bleak.
Working with local community leaders including Tampa administrator Fernando Noriega, Jr. and Mayor Dick Greco the title to the old fire station was transferred to the newly formed fire museum nonprofit group.
From here real work began. Fundraising, applying for grants, and laying out plans to give life, purpose, and meaning to one of the few historic, brick buildings remaining in downtown Tampa.
The Museum stands today as a tribute to those who believed in the dream of repurposing an old building so that it could continue to serve.
The Museum
The building, now more than a century old, is the warehouse and the showplace for exhibiting stories and memorabilia of Tampa and the Tampa Fire Department.
Our nonprofit owns and operates the building. No direct City financial support is given for the upkeep of the building or exhibits.