Tourism secret exposed: Firetruck Museum

Charleston is renowned for its many points of attractions for visitors. Today's column is going to expose the best-kept secret. It is one of the finest exhibitions in our time: the Fire Museum.

Located in North Charleston's Centre Pointe area, the museum not only gives a perspective of the history of municipal firefighting, but an educational process for our youthful citizens is beautifully woven in. This is one of the finest, if not the finest, firetruck museums in the country.

From childhood days, many of us have been enthralled with firetrucks. We admire the firefighters, and we are thrilled with the sight of these modern marvels. This museum is more than a display of apparatus. It is an interesting exhibit, yes, but it has excellent educational value, presented in a fascinating context.

For example, in an exhibit on a stage depicting a modern home with a kitchen, bedroom and living room, the dangers of home fires are excellently presented. A mother answers a doorbell, momentarily forgetting to turn down the burner on the stove with disastrous results. The dangers of kerosene heaters and fireplaces are refreshed in one's mind.

Earlier this month an exciting addition to the museum was installed. It is a simulation of a fire department's response to an alarm. In a brand-new firetruck cab, donated by the American LaFrance Co., there are seven seats, exactly as in today's modern trucks.

The person in the driver's seat touches a screen that starts the scenario. He starts the engine, and it sounds very real. Immediately the seats vibrate, similar to the real thing. The windshield shows downtown traffic with the truck streaking to the scene. The driver touches the horn button. It works! The left foot can press two different pedals for a siren and the LOUD horn. As you "drive," it is truly a thrilling experience.

The museum, which is a collaborative effort between the city of North Charleston and the American LaFrance Company, features 18 fully restored trucks in pristine condition. The trucks date from 1857 to 1969.

In a statement, John Stevenson, president and chief executive of American LaFrance, and North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey wrote, "Beginning with the early 1800s and fire apparatus of that day, it is easy to see how firefighting and its vital importance to our lives has progressed over the years. The fire safety education exhibits are incomparable, designed to not only teach our visitors about the history of firefighting and educate them on methods of the prevention of home hazards, but to also provide entertainment for our younger visitors while they experience the thrill of flying down a pole and learning smart ways to exit a burning building."

150 years of history

The oldest firetruck model shown is an 1857 Button & Blake 16-man pumper. Teams of firefighters were required to operate the pump as the labor of continuous pumping was very tedious.

The only surviving 1911 "Type 8" Roadster is popular with visitors. American LaFrance built only two roadsters. They were used to convince fire chiefs of the advantage mechanical trucks have over the horse-drawn variety.

Capt. Grant Mishoe is the curator of history at the museum. He is an active captain in the North Charleston Fire Department and leads a force of retired firefighters who proudly escort visitors around the exhibit.

"The exhibit was designed to please visitors," the captain said. He is proud of his staff, "who speak from experience." The captain speaks from experience as well. He is a third-generation firefighter.

The Fire Museum is a great experience for kids of all ages, boys and girls. School classes and other groups are welcome. Children can get in free, adults pay $6 admission. For details, call 740-5550.

Here are directions to the museum, which is at 4975 Centre Pointe Drive in North Charleston: From Charleston, take Interstate 26 to the Montague Avenue exit. Turn left on Montague, then right on International Boulevard. Take the second entrance to Tanger Outlets. The museum is on the right. From I-526, exit on International Boulevard, and take the first Tanger Outlets exit. The museum is on the right.

George Spaulding is a retired General Motors executive and distinguished executive-in-residence emeritus at the School of Business and Economics at the College of Charleston. He can be reached at 2 Wharfside St. 2A, Charleston, SC 29401.