fasny museum of firefighting

I was brought up in Hudson, lived a very short distance from the Museum. The grounds have been updated beautifully.

Never dream there were so my different types of fire truck. Great place to send a few hours for with the kids or visiting friends. It is pretty cool

I went here with my husband and two children; a 5 year old and a 2 year old. My 2 year old is very rambunctious and was not well received by the snotty lady who oversees the museum. The place is incredible and we probably would have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves if it were not for this woman following us around and asking us to make sure my 2 year old was quiet. What 2 year old boy is quiet? Everywhere we went this creep of a woman followed in tow, even when I was leaving the bathroom, there she was lurking. If she didn't work there our experience would have been great; she made it most unpleasant. What a shame! I am a teacher who would have recommended this place to others if it weren't for her. Plus we drove over an hour to go; she ruined it.

We went here just to do something we thought would be kind of quirky and out of the way, expecting it to be a place we might spend 10 minutes or so becuase it is hyped as something for kids, but WOW were we surprised. We spent 2 hours here and had to leave for an appointment, but we could have spent 2 more hours here. Remember that the stuff upstairs is much cooler than the old fire trucks on the floor where you enter. This is the most incredible collection of interesting (for anyone, not just firefighters) equipment, videos, fire engines, horns (what they used to blow to tell firefighters what to do - kind of like cavalry horns - because spoken orders could never have been heard above the confusion and din of a real raging fire), leather buckets (you could not use wooden buckets back in colonial days because they would get too hot and burn, while leather buckets would not, and all kinds of amazing things that have been used to fight fires. who knew that the way you knew that the place you were in when fighting the fire was too hot for you to stay was when your ears started burning! Who knew that they did not use horses to haul fire equipment around untli the late 1800's, before that, people dragged that stuff to the fire. Who knew that before horse drawn or motorized equipment, people just ran to the fire and then had to rest, many times for a really long time before they were rested enough to put out the fire. Who knew that the use of horses to pull fire wagons was viciously contested when they were introduced because fire fighters back in the 1870's thought the horses would take away their jobs. This an so much more you can learn and see at this museum. It is a must see for anyone, not just little boys. The part and videos about the fire horses was amazing. They have real footage of them working and the stories of how depressed they would get when they got too old to pull fire wagons or how when they were retired and reused as horses to pull milk wagons, when they would hear the fire bells ringing, they would still rush to the fire. Amazing stuff. It is on the gounds of what appears to be the old firefighter's home, I guess where retired fire fightrers go to retire.

I am the curator for a fire museum in Wellington, New Zealand and had heard from local New Yorkers that I should make the time to visit the FASNY Museum of Firefighting. I have traveled the world visiting other museums and fire collections and would have to say this is one of the greatest collections I have come across. I was also very impressed by the children's education areas that are well thought out and interactive. If you are in the Hudson area or just passionate as I am about saving our fire fighting history I highly recommend taking the opportunity to pay this museum a visit.Also I found the Hudson township welcoming and very friendly after meeting a local on the train he showed me to the main street where we had brunch before I left to visit the museum. Thank you and keep up the great work!

Fascinating for kids and adults -- we spent three hours and there was more to see. The historical write-ups are excellent -- back to the Romans -- and George Washington's chewing out of some "tourists" was priceless.

Great collection of firematics. Wonderful for kids. Hands on stuff for kids. Many old firetrucks and memorabilia.

When I started in the fire service there was a saying "back when men were men" this place will take you to that time. My wife and I brought our 5 year old grandson here on Labor Day weekend, he didn't want to leave number one; number two he wants to go back already. My wife saw for the first time some things I try to tell her about the days of old, hearing a description about something is different than seeing it first hand. I was here in the mid '90's the museum was smaller then. Now there are hands on activities for kids and adults (who become kids again) alike. You have to pay to get in but on the way out there is a donation box, I believe it is for the Fireman's home. The museum is on the grounds of the Home but your entrance fee does not go to it, so please donate. My wife and I are waiting a couple of years until our other grandson is 5 like his brother now and take them there together. It was fun for me to watch how amazed both my wife and grandson were at what they saw. I am looking forward to doing it again.

Having been severely burned in a fire in 2003, I am alway very interested in the evolution of firefighting techniques. This is a good little museum.

When I was there, several children were having a great time. What kid doesn't want to be a firefighter? Such big smiles and activity. A great (albeit small) collection of firefighting apparatus displayed throughout. Many hands-on activities for children. Most of the trucks you can't climb on, touch or otherwise handle. There are a couple that kids can get really up-close.I always love coming here to take pics. My trip there yesterday was great too.

Many vintage fire trucks, fire apparatus,1800-1900's fire fighting equipment and an area devoted to 9/11 which brought me returned sadness. They allow you to take as many photo's as you like. And I did proudly. Rules are no standing on any fire trucks what so ever. Browsing only.

Visited with 24 firefighters/wives from Lancaster Fire Dept- Lancaster NY. It was a great space...many vintage firetrucks (including our own Protective Hose Company's engine), displays and hands on activities for young and old. A must for anyone in the fire service.We also popped over to the Home on the Hudson for a tour of the facility, which was beautiful, and well run.

We went to The museum yesterday to break up a rainy weekend. So glad we did! The kids (3 under 5 yrs) had a blast. They learned fire safety and the interactive program was awesome. They even donned scaled down bunker gear and dragged hoses from the trucks to the "fire" and climbed in and out of the trucks. Unforgettable experience. The big kids had fun too. $5 entry fee for the adults was well worth it.

What great place for a family or adults. My granddaughter just loved putting on the firefighter outfit and going in four firetrucks. I could not believe how many fire engines were in the museum. Very small fee a family of four $10.00

Great local museum! Who new that fire equipment was so beautiful and interesting? Kids love to dress in firemans outfits and sit in the trucks, their parents and grandparents will find the displays interesting n ad informative. Great place for a rainy afternoon when you have a houseful of guests that include some ages 3-12