OFFICIAL MUSEUM OF THE FDNY
Museum FAQs
Important Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ’s are organized by section links. Click on a section to read the answers and related information pertaining to that topic.
How do I get to the Museum?
The Museum is located on 278 Spring Street between Varick and Hudson Streets.
Planning Your Visit
How do I get to the Museum?
The Museum is located on 278 Spring Street between Varick and Hudson Streets.
Hours and Admission
How do I arrange a visit for a school group or group of adults?
All groups wishing to have a guided tour must make advance reservations. Reservations are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and tend to fill up quickly. Please make your reservation as early as possible. To make a reservation today, click on Tickets > Fire Safety & History Tour and follow the prompt or please call our Housewatch Desk at (212) 691-1303 x14.
Do you offer tours in any languages other than English? Are there tours in Sign Language?
Presently the Museum does not have any scheduled tours for our visitors who speak different languages or have hearing impairments. We hope to initiate this service in the near future.
In and Around the Museum
How do I get to the Museum?
The Museum is located on 278 Spring Street between Varick and Hudson Streets.
Visiting As a Group
Is the Museum a private or public institution?
The Museum is a private, not-for-profit institution entrusted to maintain the collection of the FDNY and provide fire safety education to the public. It operates in a firehouse owned by the FDNY.
How large is the Museum and its collections?
The museum has two floors of exhibit space. The first floor features the equipment, gear and apparatus of the modern paid fire department, the FDNY. The first floor also houses our permanent FDNY September 11th Memorial which features artifacts from the WTC recovery site. The second floor features our 19th century volunteer era memorabilia, ceremonial exhibits and paintings.
Do you lend or lease your collection?
We do not lend or lease any of the collection to the general public. We do, on occasion, lend objects to other Museums or organizations for limited exhibition, or for television, theater or movie production. Such loans require the approval of the Museum's Board of Trustees.
How many artifacts/pieces do you have on display?
The Museum has one of the largest collections of fire-related artifacts and artwork in the world, with over ten thousand objects and an archive of tens of thousands of photographs, documents and ephemera.
What is meant by the term “permanent collection”?
This is the complete set of objects owned by the Museum, but does not apply to objects on loan to our museum from other institutions. Our permanent collection can be found in storage, on display, or on loan to other institutions.
Why are some objects not on exhibition?
Our collection contains thousands of objects, all of which cannot be displayed in the two exhibition floors of our building. Some of our collection is on loan to other institutions, and some of it is in storage. Certain objects, such as historic photographs, prints, and paintings, are sensitive to light and need to be kept in special conditions. Very delicate objects have special storage requirements or require conservation before going on display.
What is meant by the term “special exhibition”?
This is a temporary exhibit highlighting a particular event in the history of New York firefighting and/or showcasing artistic works related to firefighting.
How do I let the Museum know about my work?
The Museum does not actively solicit artwork. If you have work related to firefighting in New York that you would like to donate or exhibit, you may contact the Director at director@nycfiremuseum.org or (212) 691-1303 x15. PLEASE DO NOT SEND UNSOLITICED WORK.
How do I find out how much an object in the Museum collection is worth?
The Museum does not disclose the monetary values of objects in its collections for security reasons.
Can you tell me the value of an artifact I own?
The Museum can not provide monetary appraisals.
How can I donate a work of art or artifact to the Museum?
The Museum benefits greatly from the generosity of the public and welcomes donations to its collection. The Museum carefully considers all offers, but not every object is suitable for this Museum. If a donation could be housed somewhere more appropriate or will not have a chance to be exhibited, we prefer not to take it. If you are interested in donating art or artifacts appropriate for the Museum’s collection, please contact the Director at director@nycfiremuseum.org or (212) 691-1303 ext. 15.
Is photography or videography permitted in the Museum?
Photography and videography are allowed in the Museum so long as the images are for personal, non-commercial use. Please be mindful of other visitors, especially in the FDNY September 11th Memorial space.
Is commercial photography or filming permitted in the Museum?
Commercial photography and filming are permitted at the Museum if the project is approved and arranged in advance. Please contact the Director at director@nycfiremuseum.org or (212) 691-1303 ext. 15 with your proposal.
How do I request images of works in the Museum’s Collections?
You may use images from our online catalog for non-commercial purposes with attribution to the New York City Fire Museum. If you require higher-resolution images, non-watermarked images, or images for commercial purposes, please contact the Director at director@nycfiremuseum.org or (212) 691-1303 ext. 15.
Are internships available?
Internships are available in the collections department with a small stipend and can be arranged with a student's work-study program or independently. For more information, please contact the Collection Manager at (212) 691-1303 x17 or collections@nycfiremuseum.org.
About the Museum
How do I get to the Museum?
The Museum is located on 278 Spring Street between Varick and Hudson Streets.