The Fire Museum of Maryland

10/25/2026

Lantern Night is a wrap for 2026. It was a lively evening of lanterns, c***r, music, reenactors, and happy visitors. Thanks everyone for coming out!

10/23/2026

For today we will be talking about another unique apparatus, as it didn’t begin its life as a fire engine, it started its life as a simple car. The 1917 Ford Model T Combination Engine began as a simple Model T Ford that was later converted into a one-ton Truck.

What was originally a combination chemical engine and hose car, the Model T Ford was converted into a proper fire engine with the help of a Smith Form-a-Truck kit. Patented July 20, 1915, the kit was manufactured by smith Motor Truck Corporation of Chicago, which allowed for simple cards to be transformed into heavy-duty trucks, some being turned into fire engines such as the 1917 Ford Model T Combination Engine. Serving at the Violetville Volunteer Fire Department, it served as their first motorized fire apparatus and served the Fire Department for many years. It was brought out again in 2006 at the Firehouse Expo as a way to celebrate their 100th anniversary.

The 1917 Ford Model T Combination Engine is a unique piece as it wasn’t originally designed to help firefighters but, in the end, it served well and was able to be put to use efficiently. If you want to see other apparatuses of similar nature, come on down to the Fire Museum today!

10/22/2026

We hope you will join us for Lantern Night, this Saturday, October 24, from 6 - 8. Tickets at the door. Members are always free.

10/22/2026

Have you been following the gold leafing process on the Museum’s 1949 Mack? Paul Quinn of Design Brilliance says the job should be wrapped up by the end of the day. Paul Quinn

10/20/2026

Gold leafing is now underway on the Museum’s 1949 Mack. Paul Quinn of Design Brilliance shows us how it’s done.

10/20/2026

The coffee and donuts are in position, which means everything is set for work to begin on gold leafing the fenders of the Museum’s 1949 Mack. Back in March, a careless driver plowed into the Mack while it was finishing up a run. Since then, it’s been out of service while undergoing an extensive repair job. Gold leafing - in the capable hands of Paul Quinn from Design Brilliance - is one of the final steps before it goes back on the road.

10/19/2026

Lantern Night is coming up! Saturday, October 24. We'll have pizza for sale. C***r and cookies for everyone. B**r and w**e for sale for the grown ups.

10/17/2026

Bundle up and head to Cockeysville as we join them for tonight's (Saturday) Trunk or Treat! Unfortunately, the Stutz is having mechanical issues, so we won't be joining with an engine - but the event is still on.

Registration is open for trunks interested in participating in our Trunk or Treat event on October 17th from 6pm-9pm. Visit https://www.cvfc.org/halloween or scan the QR code in the image to access the registration form.

10/16/2026

Today we will be talking about two different pieces of our collection, however they are presented as one. The 1905 LaFrance 1100 g.p.m Steam Pumping Engine and the 1916 Christie Tractor are two different pieces that were combined into one apparatus, making it a unique hybrid apparatus.

The 1905 LaFrance 1100 g.p.m Steam Pumping Engine was originally pulled by horse but as horses were on their way out when it came to transportation, fire chiefs started looking for ways to save their old Steam Pumping Engines. This is where the Christie Tractor came into play, as in 1912 Walter Christie invented a four-cylinder front wheel drive tractor that could be attached to the front end of a chassis. This allowed the tractors to be attached to the engines. Horses were eventually replaced with such tractors, and it allowed these Steam Pumping Engines to remain in service for a few more years.

Steam Pumping Engines were expensive and many other fire stations did similar things with their old engines. If you want to see more unique apparatuses come on down to the museum.

10/16/2026

The Fire Museum is looking forward being a part of this fun event! Head over to Cockeysville and say hello!

Last call for Trunks for our Trunk or Treat THIS SATURDAY, October 17th, from 6pm-9pm. Help support this exciting Halloween event by decorating a Trunk.

Register today: https://cvfc.org/halloween