Orlando Fire Museum

Orlando Fire Museum

When my bestie and I took our kids to the Arts in the Park event in February of 2017, we stopped at the Orlando Fire Museum after visiting the Orlando Art Museum.  This museum wasn’t really part of the event but it was in the same park and we like to do and see as much as we can when we make day trips.

Honestly, this museum was my favorite that we’d visited that day.  It was so cool to see all of the vintage fire engines and equipment from the good ol’ days.  I was fascinated by all of it.  I think my son was as well, I’m sure my bestie was.

The photos on the walls present the history of Orlando’s firefighters and tells the story of how far along our fire departments have come.  Upstairs you get an idea of how they lived while they were on shift waiting for calls as you tour the dorm and finish your tour with a slide down the pole.

It was a very cool stop for us to visit.  I was so glad we made the walk to this museum and walked through with the kids.  It’s great for our kids to see how things used to be, it helps put everything into perspective.

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About Orlando Fire Museum

Originally, the red brick, two-story firehouse was located on Orlando Avenue in College Park, near Dade Park from 1926 – 1978.  But it was re-located to Loch Haven Park after falling into disrepair and facing an uncertain future.

The new Station 3 had been built in College Park in 1972, so the Orlando Science Center joined the Central Florida Fire Chief’s Association in restoring the building’s exterior and turning it into a museum.

The fire museum’s lease was taken over in 2002 by the Orlando Fire Department and the building went through extensive renovations, once again.

The museum was named after Retired Deputy Fire Chief Randall R. Tuten in 2016 by Orlando Mayor, Buddy Dyer.  Mr. Tuten followed his father’s footsteps and served the Orlando Fire Department from 1974-2002 and as head of operations at the museum from 2004-2016.  His son is now serving as a third-generation firefighter with the Orlando Fire Department.

The museum is located at 814 East Rollins Street, Orlando, FL 32803.  Phone: 407-246-3468.  Open Fridays & Saturdays from 10am through 4pm, the museum is free to visit but accepts donations.

Summary

Even living in Orlando for much of my life, I had no idea this hidden gem was here until we walked up to it that day.  I was so glad we did.  It has such a special history and is a really great place for kids to learn about some of our first responders.

This is one stop I would, once again, highly recommend visiting… especially if you have children with you.  What a better way to introduce them to a career that saves lives and makes a positive impact on society?

Have you taken it already?  I’d love to hear what you thought of it.  Did you slide down the pole?

Please drop a few lines in the comments box below and let me know how your visit went.

In the meantime, safe travels!

~Kris M.

P.S.  If you happen to use travel journals, be sure to check out the travel journal I created for my future Orlando Day Trips.

Written by Kris M.