Indiana Historical Society

Indianapolis-area firefighters have responded to emergencies great and small for more than 150 years. One way to see how far firefighting has evolved is to visit the Indianapolis Fire Museum. Housed in the old No. 2 Fire Station, a building inspired by Italianate architecture, the station was erected in 1872 and used until 1933. The museum doubles as the firefighters union's headquarters and the Survive Alive safety program for children.Best and Worst Times to Go to Indianapolis Firefighters MuseumApproximately 10,000 people tour the museum each year, so it's not very crowded unless there's a safety program going on. The museum's hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays April through October from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Must See/Do at Indianapolis Firefighters MuseumNo visit to Indianapolis is complete without learning the history of the 1963 Coliseum Explosion, in which 74 spectators were killed and nearly 400 injured by a propane explosion during an ice skating expo. Another must see is Pumper No. 15, a Stutz truck that pumped 600 gallons of water a minute and was used from 1919 to 1971--by comparison, today's trucks pump 2500 gallons of water per minute. Also worth seeing is an exhibit dedicated to African-American firefighters, who were first hired in 1876 and integrated in 1960. The IFD's first black fire chief was appointed in 1987, and the current fire chief is black. Fifteen percent of IFD firefighters are black.Admission to Indianapolis Firefighters MuseumAdmission is free.Parking and Public Transportation to Indianapolis Firefighters MuseumThere is a parking lot just off St. Clair Street. IndyGo's route 17 passes the museum as well.Food at Indianapolis Firefighters MuseumThere are no food options at the museum, but there are several independent restaurants within walking distance. Yats is a must for Cajun fans and has been voted "Best Restaurant to Eat At If You're Buying" by Nuvo readers. Chatham Tap Restaurant and Pub is an excellent English-themed soccer bar--try the fish and chips. Mesh on Mass Ave has an excellent $2 bar menu.Insider Tip for Indianapolis Firefighters MuseumEarly firefighters were nicknamed "smoke eaters" because they considered the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) unreliable and didn't wear them. This was the trend until the Scott 2.2 model was introduced. A modern-day firefighter wouldn't even consider going without a SCBA, but even with this innovation cancer, heart, and lung disease remain the leading cause of death for firefighters.Author's bio: Becky Oberg is a professional writer who has left Indianapolis three times, only to return each time. Her hobbies include acting, writing, reading, singing, and playing video games.

The Monroe County History Center in Bloomington, IN, serves as a vital resource for preserving and sharing the rich history of the community. Established by a dedicated group of citizens, the center showcases a variety of exhibits, collections, and educational programs that highlight local heritage and milestones. Generated from the website

Academy of Model Aeronautics, also known as AMA, is a sport aviation organization located in Muncie, Ind. It is an associate member of the National Aeronautic Association and has more than 170,000 members. The organization offers various hobby courses and educational programs for its members. It assists classroom teachers who wish to integrate aerospace education concepts into math, science, social studies, language arts and technology programs. Its educator support package offers suggestions for classroom activities. The organization operates a library that provides a collection of modeling magazines. The organization also works with private companies and offers several types of insurance plans to its members. Additionally, Academy of Model Aeronautics operates a museum that features a collection of model aircrafts.