Reading Area Firefighters Museum

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Reading Area Firefighters Museum In 2010, the city vacated the structure, moving it's sole Engine company to a new quarters in the 18th ward.

The museum serves as a permanent facility for the public exhibition and the safe storage of items related to the history of firefighting in Reading & the surrounding counties The firehouse, located at the southeast corner of South Fifth and Laurel Streets in the Callowhill Historic District, is one of the most important architectural and historic landmarks in the City of Reading and Berks County. The site has functioned as a fire company's headquarters since 1854, on the same site but in a building demolished in 1875 for the construction of the present facility. The station was sold to the city to be operated as a fire museum. The unusual combination of utilitarian purpose and architectural quality of the structure and its intact original character makes it one of the best preserved historical landmarks in the city and county. Numerous tours have been conducted through the building and without exception of the tour participants, whatever their age, background or experience, has been genuine surprise mixed with respect and appreciation for the elegance and beauty of the rooms.

September 26, 1911 While running a cotton picking machine on the second floor of the Reading Couch and Mattress Company,...
09/26/2026

September 26, 1911

While running a cotton picking machine on the second floor of the Reading Couch and Mattress Company, 647-651 Locust street, a nail accidentally got mixed in a cotton bail. Unnoticed by the worker, the nail went through the machine, causing sparks as it hit other metal parts in the picker. Within seconds, the cotton ignited. Several workers attempted to douse the fire, but it spread quickly as it ate away at the dry cotton. Within minutes, the second floor was ablaze.
At 15:06, Pull Station 65, 11th and Oley streets, was activated. At the same time, the fire was noticed by Reading Police Officer Dautrich. He sent in another alarm from Telegraph Station 6, 12th and Greenwich streets.
Two-thirds of the Reading Fire Department responded to the twin alarms. First District Chief George C. Obold of the Reading Hose arrived on location minutes later and found flames breaking through the roof. Apparently unaware that a second pull station was activated, he ran to Box 65 and sounded a second alarm. This brought out every company in the city with the except the Liberties and the Unions.
Firemen stretched hose lines through 10-foot alleys on the north and east sides of the structure. Soon, eight lines were in service, deluging the burning structure. Water streams were then directed on adjacent dwellings in an effort to confine the fire to the mattress company.
Several ladders were raised to houses on the south end of the company to quell flames spreading across the rooftops. Two dwellings, addressed 643 and 645 Locust, suffered moderate to heavy fire damage.
Firefighting operations had to come to a stand still on several occasions when hose lines burst from the unusual strong water pressure. Volunteers were then detailed to cut away useless sections of hose and replace them with good sections.
A wall on the east section of the industrial building collapsed at the height of the fire. Several volunteers from the Hampdens were standing in an alley when this occurred. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
The fire finally burned itself out at about 16:30. This was followed by an out tap sometime around 17:00. Chief Miller detailed a hand full of companies to remain on the scene for several hours to douse hot spots.
A total loss for the Reading Couch and Mattress Company, and the two dwellings, amounted to $10,065.
Thousands of spectators came out, as they normally would when a major fire erupts. It took less than a half hour for the tiny half streets to become jammed with on-lookers.
The Reading Couch and Mattress Company suffered a $1,000 fire at their former location, 22 North 8th street, just prior to moving to this location.
This current building was heavily damaged on August 19, 1902, when a two-alarm fire destroyed the Hampden Planning Mill.

Due to some emergency building repairs, the museum will be closed for approximately 3 weeks. Watch here for updates.
09/23/2026

Due to some emergency building repairs, the museum will be closed for approximately 3 weeks. Watch here for updates.

We will be open this Friday Sept 11, from 9 Am to 12 noon.
09/10/2026

We will be open this Friday Sept 11, from 9 Am to 12 noon.

On Sept. 11 again this year Alvernia students will be at the Fire Museum helping move and clean items.
09/01/2026

On Sept. 11 again this year Alvernia students will be at the Fire Museum helping move and clean items.

🚒 HELP PRESERVE THE HISTORY. HELP SHARE THE STORIES.The Reading Area Firefighters Museum is looking for 6 volunteer doce...
08/16/2026

🚒 HELP PRESERVE THE HISTORY. HELP SHARE THE STORIES.

The Reading Area Firefighters Museum is looking for 6 volunteer docents to help welcome visitors and share Reading’s remarkable firefighting heritage.

You do not need to be a firefighter, historian, or experienced museum volunteer. We’ll provide the training—you bring your interest in people, history, and our community!

👨‍🚒 Retired firefighters & fire service families — Help preserve the traditions, stories, and memories of the fire service.

👩‍🦳 Retirees — Stay active, meet new people, and put your knowledge and life experience to work for the community.

🎓 College students & young adults — Build real-world experience in public speaking, history, education, communications, and visitor engagement.

🏢 Businesses & corporate volunteers — Turn community-service hours into meaningful local impact.

🤝 Civic, faith & community organizations — Help preserve an important part of Reading’s history for future generations.

What does it take?

⏰ Just 4–6 hours a month
🎓 No experience necessary — training provided
📅 Flexible scheduling
👥 Age 18+
📍 Reading, Pennsylvania
🚒 Docent positions available — start ASAP

Whether you know everything about fire engines or you're simply interested in learning something new, there is a place for you at the museum.

Your time. Their legacy. Our future.

Interested in volunteering—or know someone who would be a great fit? Send the Reading Area Firefighters Museum a message to get started.

Please SHARE this post with a friend, retired firefighter, student, coworker, family member, or community organization that might like to get involved!

July 30, 1909 At about 20:52, heavy fire was found, shooting from the roof area of the Reading Biscuit Company, 120 Sout...
07/30/2026

July 30, 1909

At about 20:52, heavy fire was found, shooting from the roof area of the Reading Biscuit Company, 120 South 3rd street. Moments later, a bell alarm was sounded from Gamewell Station 13, 3rd and Chestnut streets.
Chief George W. Miller arrived on the scene before the church and fire bells finished tapping its location. He immediately proceeded to Box 13 and sounded a second alarm.
After twenty minutes of battle, Chief Miller realized no progress was being made. He went back to 3rd and Chestnut streets and manually tapped the triple-three signal for a general alarm. The all-call for help brought every company in the city with the exception of Marions, who relocated to the Juniors Fire Station, Walnut and Vine streets, for a stand by.
At the height of the fire, well over a dozen streams of water were in operation, deluging the building from all directions. The majority of the hand lines were located along the South 3rd street side, while only a few were placed in operation along an alley known as Grape street.
The combination of very dry weather and the heavy shower of embers that were raining down onto the nearby dwellings prompted Chief Miller to order crews of volunteers to take hose lines to the roof tops of the nearby dwellings. Volunteers were given orders to ensure the roofs did not catch fire.
Another concern of Miller’s was the Frank P. Lauer Mansion located near South 3rd and Grape street. Even after firemen kept a steady hose stream on the nearby mansion, Mr. Lauer still incurred $300 in damage.
While the firemen worked to control the blaze, neighbors and spectators went to the rear of an L-shaped annex and cleaned out the company’s inventory of cakes and crackers.
Chief Miller sounded an out tap about an hour after the initial bell.
Companies began cleaning up sometime around midnight. It was about that time that forty-four-year-old Keystone volunteer J. Bertolette Parvin, 231 Mifflin street, fell off a ladder from about the third floor of the Reading Biscuit Company. Parvin fell head first to the pavement below. When fellow firemen ran to his aid, they found him unconscious and bleeding from the mouth and ears. He was transported to the Homeopathic Hospital, 135 North 6th street. An hour later, he was pronounced dead. The volunteer never regained consciousness.
The Biscuit Company ran in an east to west direction. In the rear of the main building was an L-shaped addition, where the offices and warerooms were located. The annex ran north behind three row homes, address 116 through 118½ South 3rd.
It was believed the fire started in the baking house and had burned for a long period of time until its discovery. The Biscuit Company, operated by Romanus and H. S. Esterly, incurred a loss of $13,773.

the fire scene photo is along the Grape Street side of the building looking west (Reading Eagle photos)

Come see us today at the Wyomissing July 4th parade. Starts at 10 am.We will be showing off the 1780s hand engine built...
07/04/2026

Come see us today at the Wyomissing July 4th parade. Starts at 10 am.

We will be showing off the 1780s hand engine built by Richard Mason of Philadelphia for the Union Fire Co of Reading (1770-1820) the hand pumper than in 1820 went to the Reading Hose company than in 1848 was sold to private individual in the city that had a iron foundry than found its way to Robesonia Furnace. At some point in time it was stored in a barn and was given to the Bernville Fire Co. who still own it to this day.

If you are coming into town to see BIg Boy today we are open 9am to 2 pm and our new AC in the building is keeping thing...
07/02/2026

If you are coming into town to see BIg Boy today we are open 9am to 2 pm and our new AC in the building is keeping things cool.

Thursday 9-2
Friday 10-2

Please arrive by 1 pm so you have enough time to visit before closing time.

Tours are self guided on the first floor, second floor is guided.

Last week was a busy time for the Museum Education Committee. Over 150 students and 50 teachers from the Morgan School, ...
06/30/2026

Last week was a busy time for the Museum Education Committee. Over 150 students and 50 teachers from the Morgan School, Riverside Elementary and 10th & Green Elementary toured the Museum and participated in our Fire Safety Program.
Thanks to all our visitors for your support and cooperation.
Thank you to Museum members Pattie Acevedo, Louie Albert, Dick Boyer, Don Keim, Dan Smith, John Trimble and Linda Wrobel for your flexibility.

this might be one day late in the "On This Date" category, but history's not going anywhere ... thus, June 29, 1949 A fi...
06/30/2026

this might be one day late in the "On This Date" category, but history's not going anywhere ... thus, June 29, 1949

A fire was discovered by a tenant in a rooming house at 121 South 6th Street and after calling the fire department, he began to rouse many of the lodgers from their sleep.
At 02:49, a still alarm went out to the Reading Hose and Assistant Chief Russell C. Bowers. Arriving on the scene, Bowers radioed the police dispatcher and informed the operator to have the fire dispatcher set up the bell alarm. Box 123, Plum and Franklin Streets, was then dialed up on the Gamewell box transmitter and within minutes, the Rainbows, Friendships, Liberties, Washington, Keystones and the second engine from the Reading Hose were racing to the scene.
Fire Chief Edward C. Dell, who responded on the first bell, found heavy fire shooting from the third floor rear of the structure. Firemen were severely hampered in getting hose lines to the seat of the fire. Several extension ladders had to be raised in a narrow passageway that ran along side the structure from South 6th to Plum Street. From there, hose lines were then taken to the fire floor.
It seemed every engine that arrived on the scene hooked up to a hydrant. Hydrants that were used were located at Plum and Franklin, 6th and Franklin, 6th and Kerper, 6th and Chestnut, and Plum and Chestnut Streets.
Realizing his men were struggling in getting the upper hand, Dell requested a second bell at 03:02. This consisted of the Juniors, Neversinks and Unions.
While the men were working on getting water on the fire, Rainbow driver William C. Bixler fell against a fire hydrant his truck was set up on. Getting up, he was met by a hospital intern assigned to the Reading Hose ambulance. Bixler insisted he was alright and continued about his duties on the fire grounds. A few minutes later, he collapsed again. This time, he was transported by Reading Hose ambulance to Community General Hospital where he died of an apparent heart attack.
The fire was doused within an hours time.
Known as Dilzer’s Rooming House, it was a three-story brick building that extended from South 6th to Plum Street. Owner David Fogelman, of 1312 North 13th Street, estimated his loss at close to $5,000. Fire Chief Dell revealed the fire was inadvertently started by a carelessly discarded cigarette.
Two adjoining dwellings, addressed 119 and 123 South 6th Street, suffered minor smoke damage.
William C. Bixler was 45-years-old. He was born to Edwin and Kate (Mumphrey) Bixler. Bixler became a driver in 1929 and was considered to be the second oldest in terms of length of service at the Rainbows. Surviving were his wife Helen (Bucher), a sister Margaret (Thiele), and three brothers, Arthur, Hamon and Charles. His funeral was held on Tuesday, July 5, 1949 at the Cramp Funeral Home, followed internment at the Forest Hills Memorial Park.
(photos courtesy Al Batastini)

Address

501 S 5th Street
Reading, PA
19602

Opening Hours

Thursday 9am - 12pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

(484) 525-0590

Website

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