Haverhill Fire Fighting Museum

7th Annual Chili Cook-Off Update

Another Successful chili Cook-Off!!

Thank you to all sponsors & volunteers whom made this years Cook-Off so successful.

Please see events page...

The Haverhill Fire Fighting Museum would like to thank all our wonderful volunteers for making our opening day celebration a huge success!

Established in 2003, the Haverhill Firefighting Museum is home to the most extensive collection of local artifacts illustrating the history of firefighting from colonial days to present time.

Come and See

Antique Trucks including the LV Spaulding Handtub and a horse drawn Water Tower
Antique Firefighting Equipment
Rescue Equipment
Fire Log Books dating back to "The Great Conflagration of 1882"
Early Helmets, Badges and Photos
Observe our operational 1937 Gamewell Alarm System which was in service to the City of Haverhill from 1937 until the 1990's
Ideal location for meetings, events
Educational Field Trips for all ages
Museum Shop
Guided Tours by appointment

Mini theatre available with firefighting videos including scenes from actual fires and the documentary "A City in Ruins, The great Conflagration of 1882".

We are located in a historic Armory Building at 75 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill, MA. Open Saturdays from May-October or by appointment. Guided tours are offered and field trips for all ages are encouraged. The museum space is ideal for meetings and small gatherings.

Free Admission is offered to our Service Men and Women and their families as our way of saying Thank You to our troops!

Admission to the Museum

Adults: $3.00

Children: $1.00

Special Family Rate $5.00

Winner of the Name Our Dalmatian Mascot Contest

Mr Robert Moore of Newton, NH with the name:

Dottie the Dalmatian

Haverhill’s First Recorded Fire

---1671---

The first fire recorded in Haverhill’s annals, in 1671, completely destroyed the Matthias Button Homestead, a thatched roof house near the Edward Bricket mansion on Pond Street (present-day Kenoza Avenue).

Haverhill’s Need for an Organized Response to Fires

---1697--- ---1708---

During the early years of the 18th century, many of Haverhill’s fires were reportedly set by "marauding Indians," urged on by the French in Canada. On at least two occasions--one on March 15, 1697 and another on August 29, 1708--the Indians massacred settlers, took others captive, and torched their homesteads. These incidents, and others, demonstrated Haverhill’s need for an organized response to fires as well as Indians.

Merrimack Street, in Haverhill, had been menaced many times by fire. Five times within a 40 year period.

The Academy of Music Building on Merrimack St. Before and After the fire of July 7, 1888. The building then included the Opera House, Commonwealth Hotel, several stores, offices and apartment. Mutal aid was summoned from Lowell, Lawrence, Exeter, NH and Newburyport.

Fire, October 1977, Merrimack Street.

April 25, 1939, Merrimack Street, Haverhill. The Strand Building, the Theatre was practically destroyed, causing a loss of $30,000 dollars. Fireman were successful in containing the blaze, and saving the surrounding buildings.