The Main Attraction
When the Lincoln Children's Museum opened their doors for the first time in the Atrium building at 12 & N streets on December 2, 1989, the Lincoln Fire Department's refurbished 1963 American LaFrance fire engine was there. Through the generous support of local business's and Fire Department employees, the dream became reality. The dream was for the Lincoln Fire Department to partner with the Lincoln Children's Museum to share fire safety messages for children. Visitors to the museum can have fun and learn life saving fire survival skills.

IT WORKED!! The Fire Engine quickly became one of the most popular for visitors according to staff. The Fire Department's exhibit was the first of its kind in the United States. Within the Fire Service other communities have followed this same method to deliver the departments message.

Click here to read a story by John Thorson, a Humann
Elementary School Student, written in 1992. (326kb)

In the fall of 1990, after outgrowing its first home, the museum moved to a larger location in the Atrium at 13th & O street, once again the department pitched in to continue this partnership.

The museum closed its doors on Sept. 1, 2000 in preparation for its move to its new permanent home at 1420 P Street. The heart of the fire departments display continues to be the 1963 American LaFrance fire engine. Completely refurbished (again) this fire engine will be driven millions of imaginary miles by the thousands of visitors to come.

On October 21, 2000 the Lincoln Children's Museum hosted its grand reopening in its permanent location. The fire engine is now housed in the My Fire House, a portion of the My Town area of the museum. Complete with a fire hydrant & hose, firefighter hats, boots and coats, visitors can drive the fire engine, with working emergency lights and sounds. Visitors can also practice dialing 911 for an interactive emergency experience. New original fire safety characters will also guide children to learn about smoke detectors, home exit planning, stop drop and roll and other fire safety information.

Come see for yourself!! Lincoln Children's Museum Web Site

If you would like to hear the questions that a 911 call taker will ask if you were to dial 911, you can do this at the museum. You can also do it from home by calling:

• 434-6595 for a fire call or medical emergency
  
• 434-6596 for a fire call
  
• 434-6597 for a medical emergency