If you are looking for a unique and historical attraction in Kinston, NC, then look no further than Caswell No. 1 Fire Station Museum. It’s located on South Queen Street and is Kinston’s oldest remaining municipal building. Originally erected in 1895, the building was converted into a museum in 1993 that charts the progression of firefighting through the years.
Attractions at Caswell No. 1 Fire Station Museum
The primary attraction at Caswell No. 1 Fire Station Museum is a 1922 LaFrance Pumper, but the museum also sports a century’s worth of helmets, nozzles, ladders, fire extinguishers, and fire hydrants. You’ll also find sleeping quarters, three offices, two storage closets, and a bathroom outside the area where the fire trucks were once housed.
The Community Effort Behind The Restoration of The Building
According to Kinston.com, the effort to restore the Caswell No. 1 Fire station into a museum was undertaken beginning in 1987. A committee of area citizens submitted a proposal for the restoration and it would be six years before their efforts came to fruition.
The building needed extensive work performed including removing metal awnings and supports, and repairing doorways and frames. Many of the materials found inside the fire station were historical in nature, but suffered from water damage. Roof leakage had also occurred, but the structure itself was sound.
After much hard work, the Caswell No. 1 Fire Station Museum officially opened to the public on April 25, 1993.
More Attractions at Caswell No. 1 Fire Station Museum
In addition to the 1922 pumper and the collection of fire helmets and other elements, you’ll also find hundreds of toys that detail children’s fascination with firefighting over the years. There is also a collection of photographs showing the history of the fire station in Kinston.
According to Kinston.com, one of the most unique items inside the museum is an “oversized milk can upon old-timey bicycle wheels.” This was originally used as a “soda and acid fire extinguisher used in tobacco warehouses for fire suppression.”
You might also like: ENC Live Home Improvement & Holiday Gift Show
Doug Henry CDJR
Doug Henry CDJR is proud to be a part of a community that values and protects its history like Kinston, NC. We are a full line Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM dealership offering outstanding new vehicle selection and a great inventory of pre-owned models.
Our goal is for you to get the exact vehicle you want at a great low price or monthly payment, and have a pleasurable and stress-free transaction experience. If this sounds like the kind of place you’d like to do business, we invite you to explore all our products and services online and then come see our dealership in person.
Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.