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By John
Spaulding |
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One of
the pieces of fire
equipment of yesteryear. |
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By John
Spaulding |
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Built in
the 1840's part of
Mumford's firehouse
contained a jail for
their area, now used as
storage. |
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By John
Spaulding |
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Mumford
also built a new
firehouse that was
completed in 2006 for
1.4 million. The
district renovated part
of the existing
structure and added
additional space. |
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MUMFORD, NY - Mumford Fire
Department's Museum of Firefighting grand
opening was held at their firehouse on
October 5, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00
p.m. The Museum has been in construction
since 2006, and built entirely from
donations of building materials and labor
and extensive fund raising. The museum will
be used to "bring to life the history of the
American fire service". It will be host to
musters and fire prevention programs in the
near future. Mumford displayed their fully
operational hand drawn pumper and hose cart
that sat next to similar pieces from
Scottsville, Nunda, Brockport and Chili.
"It's a relief that this project has been
completed" says Lt. Todd Smith, adding that
"we have been working 12 hour days for the
last couple weeks to finish". The museum
will be open to the public the first weekend
of every month from May through October,
from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Mumford also conducted their annual open
house in their separate building that was
re-constructed in 2006. This small fire
department located in once world's largest
center for wheat farming - hence, the name
Town of Wheatland, circa the mid 1800's grew
from three different fire houses beginning
in 1887 with the Liberty Station on the west
end of the town. The Mumford Fire District
now owns the building that was originally
built as a hotel, once housed a jail, and is
considered haunted by many.
Today's fire prevention activities included
rides on the fire apparatus, fire prevention
games a look at firefighting equipment and
of course refreshments. Smith, who
volunteers his time to preserve history,
fight fires, train his fellow firefighters,
and do fire prevention for the areas
kindergartners and first graders is "elated
that it is completed and hope everyone
enjoys the new museum". Although there is
more work to do over the winter, Smith, of
Mumford joked that he "will be taking a
couple weeks off!". Mumford FD will be
hosting a Chicken BBQ on October 12, 2008
beginning at noon at the firehouse 1013 Main
Street, Mumford, NY with the dedication
ceremony and muster in the summer of 2009.
By the numbers:
48 members,
200 calls for service annually,
New firehouse constructed in 2006 for 1.4
million,
Original building built in 1840's,
Fire department formed in 1887,
Building also used by Wheatland Seniors and
VFW,
Mumford covers 15 square miles,
Regularly responds with Caledonia and
Scottsville,
Owns five front line apparatus,
Three operational antiques,
One antique awaiting restoration.
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