Welcome to Firehouse 3 Museum!

History also gives us a sense of pride. Pride in being associated with one of the most noble professions known to mankind. Throughout the world, North America, South America, South Pacific, the Far East, Europe, the Soviet Union or anywhere you travel, when family, friends, or strangers are in dire need of medical, or fire fighting skills, fire fighters, both career, and volunteer respond to the call of duty. For hundreds of years fire fighters have earned a unique trust among our diversified population, a trust in that they, the fire fighters, are there to help, not hurt. Fire Fighters are entrusted with our most precious possessions - the preservation of life and property. To that end, Firehouse 3 Museum is dedicated to sharing the history of Fire Fighting in Racine with the Citizens of of Racine and Southeast Wisconsin. Here is our story...

Since the early days of the settlement of Racine, fire protection has been on the minds of most residents in this community. Fire protection has taken many forms. In the early days this meant that residents all kept a bucket and a rope handy to be used in suppressing any fire that did occur. As time went on the chore of fire protection moved from the hands of the citizens in general to a group of people who would drill together periodically so that they were somewhat more familiar with the techniques of fire fighting.

The organization of fire protection companies was a significant step forward in protecting the village and City of Racine from the ravages of fire. With these organized fire companies buckets were soon given up in favor of hand pumpers. Hand pumpers, with their ability to deliver more water to the fire in less time, provided the early fire fighters with an edge on the smaller conflagrations. However muscle power was still the prime mover of water and as fatigue set in at a big fire, the ability to sustain a steady flow of water diminished rapidly.

When steamers arrived on the scene, this new power source promised to deliver steady volumes of water over long periods of time so long as the boilers were properly tended and the cistern did not run dry. Again as fires grew bigger and bigger the steamers would outstrip their water supply and become useless. Many more buildings were lost to the unforgiving nature of fire due to a lack of a consistent water supply. Another significant step in the right direction was the installation of a water system that would deliver water through underground pipes to a valve on every street corner in the city. These hydrants soon became a gathering point for steamers, and later motorized fire apparatus, as they provided an unlimited water supply to fight fires.

Today when a major fire occurs, the ability to deliver 15,000 to 20,000 gallons of water per minute on a fire is often taken for granted. The dependability of the water supply is extraordinary and rarely do failures occur. Fire damage is limited but sometimes the damage from excessive water can exceed the actual damage from a fire. It's a no win situation.

The historical significance of our past is important to our future. Firehouse 3 Museum is located at 700 Sixth Street in Racine, WI. This museum is a former Racine Fire Department station which was active from 1882 to 1968. Throughout the years the Fire Station has housed a Horse Drawn Steamer, a Horse Drawn Hose Cart (1882-1918), a Motorized Fire Engine (1918-1943), and Racine's first full time Rescue Squad (1943-1968). The station was closed in 1968 when the new Safety Building opened and several companies were consolidated at one location.

Firehouse 3 Museum is not intended to be a tribute to fire, per Se, rather it is dedicated to the memory of those brave individuals who have spent, and in some instances given their lives to preserve the safety and property of others. This museum is a living memorial dedicated to the fire fighters of Racine, living, and dead; past, present, and future; who devote their lives to the protection of their neighbors. The momentos and artifacts displayed in this old firehouse are preserved as a reminder of what fire fighting was like over one hundred years ago, and how it has evolved into the science of today.

The building has been preserved to reflect the early 1900's. Centerpieces of the museum include the 1882 "Stephen Freeman" Steamer which is a Silsby 600 gpm steamer, and a 1930 Pirsch 1000 gpm Triple Combination pumper (Ex-Racine Engine 5). Other artifacts include a working Gamewell Telegraphic Alarm System, Helmets, a cutaway Fire Hydrant, Nozzles, a Hand Drawn Hose Cart from the Horlick Malted Milk Company, Trophies, and Awards won by Racine Fire Fighters in the mid to late 1800's, an Extensive Collection of Breathing Apparatus from the 1920's to the present, and many other pieces of fire fighting history. The old Hay Loft is now a theatre area where films and videos on Fire Prevention can be shown.

VISITORS are ALWAYS Welcome!! The Museum is open Every Sunday except Holidays from 1:00 until 4:00 pm. Special tour arrangements during the week can be made by calling (262) 634-6903 (Scott Tangerstrom) or (262) 633-4305 (Wilber Tangerstrom). Group Tours please call ahead. Admission is free.

Directions to Firehouse 3 Museum...
700 Sixth Street - Racine, WI
Take I-94 to the Highway 20 Exit in Racine at milepost 333. Go east into Racine. Highway 20 is also known as Washington Avenue. Highway 20 (Washington Avenue) turns into Seventh Street in front of the museum. The museum is located at the intersection of Sixth/Seventh Street and Grand Avenue, approximately 10 miles from I-94 and is immediately east of Racine City Hall by the Paul J. Harris Plaza (with the four faced clock). If you reach Lake Michigan you have gone six blocks east of the museum.