VISIT OUR MUSEUM
Located in the lobby of The Protectowire Company.
The museum is a hidden gem that takes visitors on a journey through time – the Protectowire Fire Apparatus Museum. This unique exhibit pays homage to the rich history of fire protection equipment, showcasing a collection of antique fire apparatuses that tell the story of fire protection evolution. As you step into the lobby, you are not just entering a corporate space; you are entering a living museum that echoes the heritage and commitment to fire safety.
Allstate Fire Extinguisher
Manufactured by Sears Roebuck Co. Contained a dry chemical which would be thrown on the fire to help extinguish it. Circa 1950
Blue Glass Fire Grenade
Grenades would be thrown at the base of a small fire; they contained a chemical which would help extinguish the fire. Circa 1890
Brass Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Contained a chemical which would be sprayed on the fire to help extinguish it. Circa 1930
Brass Portable Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Circa 1930
Brass Portable Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Circa 1930
Brass Italian Fire Helmet
Circa 1905
Brass & Leather Fire Hose Nozzle
Circa 1930
Brass Trumpet
Used by the Fire Chief to Issue Instructions at a Fire Circa 1870-1900
Cardboard & Tin Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Contained a dry chemical which would be thrown on the fire to help extinguish it. Circa 1925
Cast Iron Horse-drawn Hook & Ladder Fire Wagon
Circa 1920
Dietz King Fire Lantern
Steel Body with Copper Base & Ruby Globe Patent Date March 21, 1893 Circa 1893
Fire Station Alarm Call Center
Manufactured by The Gamewell Co., Newton, Mass. Circa 1920
Brass Portable Chem Fire Ext
Ceremonial Plated Fire Axe
Circa 1910
Chrome Fire Truck Bell
Circa 1930
Copper/Brass Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Circa 1930
Currier & Ives Firefighting Print
Circa 1875
Dietz King Fire Lantern
Nickel over Brass Body with Ruby Glass Globe Nameplate Reads “Engine Co. No. 8” Patent Date March 21, 1893 Circa 1893
Fire Alert Call Box
Small call boxes were installed in buildings and in busy areas; they were connected to the call center at the fire station to send a fire alarm. Circa 1930
Fire Alarm Call Box
When Lever was pulled, a call of fire was transmitted to the call center Circa 1920
Set of Fire Engine Illustrations
Circa 1970
2015 Dirico Motorcycle
Built as a tribute to the Fallen Firefighters of America
Fialex Alarm with Bell & Grenade
Mfd by Fialex Southern Co., Nashville, Tenn. The heavy brass bell in the center winds clockwise and has a mainspring like a clock. Above it is a thermostat that can be set to low, med or high. When heat trips the thermostat the bell rings while an arm springs forward tossing a hand-blown fire grenade filled with water and a fire retardant in the general area. Circa 1910
Fire Axe
Circa 1910
Early Fire Department Photograph
Circa 1930
Early Firefighting Postcard
Circa 1918
Currier & Ives Firefighting Puzzle
Circa 1960
Set of 3 Fire Grenades
Grenades would be thrown at the base of a small fire; they contained a chemical which would help extinguish the fire. Circa 1900
Fire Truck Air Pressure Gauge
Circa 1920
Foamite Chemical Engine Wheeled Fire Extinguisher
Made by the Foamite Chemical Engine Corp., Utica, N.Y. The latest Patent date is 1924. Circa 1924
Galvanized Fire Bucket
These metal buckets were hung on the fire trucks and were made with round bottoms to discourage theft Circa 1930
Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph Punch Tape Register
Manufactured by The Gamewell Co. Newton, Mass. This was used in a Fire Station in Richmond, Va. Circa 1920
Brass & Leather Tournament Hose Nozzle
Manufactured by Elkart Mfg. Co. Circa 1880-1900
Presentation Trumpet
Used in parades, ceremonies, and as awards at Firemen’s muster competitions. Circa 1870-1900
Solid Brass Fire Nozzle
Circa 1930
Tin Cylinder Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Contained a dry chemical which would be thrown on the fire to help extinguish it. Circa 1900
Tin Cylinder Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Contained a dry chemical which would be thrown on the fire to help extinguish it. Circa 1910
Leather Fire Bucket
Circa 1830-1850
Leather Fire Bucket
Made by John Fenno, who worked from 1800-1820 in Boston, MA Circa 1800-1820
18 Leather Fire Helmet
Brass eagle shield holder at top Circa 1870-1900
Nickle Plated Presentation Trumpet
Used in parades, ceremonies, and as awards at Firemen’s muster competitions. Circa 1870-1900
Wood “Rattle” Fire Alert Noise Maker
Made a distinctive sound when rotated to signal a fire alert. Circa 1850
Protectowire PCA-1-CN Class A Proprietary Panel
Circa 1956
Red Cord-wrapped Brass Fire Nozzle
Circa 1920
Primitive, Hand-made Wood “Rattle” Fire Alert Noise Maker
Made a distinctive sound when rotated to signal a fire alert. Circa 1850
Metal Air Horn Fire Alert
Age: Circa 1950
“Muffin Bell” Fire Alert Noise Maker
Used to sound an alarm in the event of a fire. Circa 1860
NFPA Certificate
Circa January, 1942
Protectowire CB-2100 System Circuit Breaker Box
Circa 1955
Protectowire XAC-6/XDC-6 Power Supply Alarm and Relay Unit
Circa 1949
Pyrene Automobile Fire Extinguisher & Advertisement
Circa 1915
Small Brass Fire Extinguisher Nozzle
Circa 1920
Toy Horse-drawn Cast Iron Steamer Wagon
Circa 1925
Wood “Rattle” Fire Alert Noise Maker
Made a distinctive sound when rotated to signal a fire alert. Circa 1850
Original journal kept by W. Gerald & Sara Canfield Holmes
In 1938, W. Gerald Holmes invented the technology that allowed wire to be sensitive to heat, and developed the process that made Protectowire a viable product. this diary chronicles these experiments. Circa 1938
Protectowire Series CSDC Electrically Supervised System
Circa 1949
Protectowire RAS-10C Remote Alarm and Supervisory Unit
Used to transmit signals over telephone or other wires) Circa 1954
Protectowire XDC-S Control and Power Supply Unit
Circa 1956
Salesman’s Sample Fire Hydrant
Circa 1930
Wall Mount Fire House Telephone
Circa 1915