The New Orleans Fire Department has a nationally recognized hidden treasure in the uptown Garden District of New Orleans. The Washington Avenue firehouse was built in 1851. This engine house served the community until 1991 when its crew Engine #23, moved to new quarters at 2920 Magazine Street. In the early 1920's Engine #23 was the last firehouse to trade in its horses for a motorized vehicle. The New Orleans Fire Department Museum and Educational Center opened its doors in April of 1995. We are located at 1135 Washington Avenue at Camp Street. There are (2) two levels of firefighting, artifacts, memorabilia, tools, uniforms and photographs for viewing. Also there are hand pulled, horse drawn and motorized fire apparatus. Admission is free and donations are welcomed.

Tours Outline

• Watch desk- the city of New Orleans was the forth city in America to get the new fire alarm system made by Gamewell. The system works off of the Morse Code System and is still functional to this day.
• Steam Fire Engine- This steam fire engine was built by the Ahrens Fire Engine company of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1896 for the City Of New Orleans
• 1927 Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine- this motorized fire engine could pump 750 gallons of water per-minute. This fire engine was used as a spare in New Orleans as late as 1974.
• Hand Pull Ladder Truck- this ladder truck was pulled to fires by hand and only had ground ladders. It was made by Rumsey of St. Louis sometime in the 1860's.
• Hand Pull Hand Pumper- this hand pumper was built in 1838 by Hunneman of Boston.
• Fire Helmets- a display of fire helmets from all over the world.
• Slide Pole- used to get from second floor to first floor in a hurry on a fire call.
• Bed and Mosquito Net- Since window screens were not used until the 1920's and electric fans were not invited until the late 1920's, the firefighters had to sleep under these nets to keep form being eaten up by the mosquitoes at night
• Uniform- The firefighters uniform is the type that was worn when the fire department went paid on December 15, 1891. The badge was worn for only about the first two years of the paid department.

Groups of six or more should call ahead to make sure a guide will be available.  The museum charges no admission fee, but donations are welcome.  The museum is located within walking distance of the St. Charles Ave. streetcar and the Magazine St. bus lines.

Also, the Fire Museum and Educational Center is where all Engine House visits are scheduled for groups and schools. To schedule a visit to an engine house or the museum call the number listed  below.

Museum hours:
Appointment Only

New Orleans Fire Department Museum and Educational Center
1135 Washington Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana  70130
(504) 658-4713