The Fire Museum of Memphis welcomes visitors Monday through Saturday. Admission is $10.00 for adults; $9.00 for seniors, $9.00 for children ages 13-17, and $8.00 for children ages 3-12. Children under 3 are FREE.
Contrary to some posts on the Internet, there are no days with free admission, as some other Memphis attractions have.. We apologize for any inconvenience. Free admission is only offered to museum members (must purchase a membership) and Red Door Members of the Memphis Fire Department.
THE FIRE MUSEUM OF MEMPHIS IS OPEN DAILY FROM 9 AM UNTIL 4:30 PM. HOWEVER, GUESTS ARE ONLY ALLOWED IN UNTIL THE LAST ADMISSION AT 3:30 PM. This is to allow each guest at least one hour to tour our facility and see each exhibit. We hope you enjoy your experience at the Fire Museum of Memphis.
Memphis Fire Headquarters in 1899
The original Memphis Fire Department headquarters building was located at 65 South Front Street at the
corner of Union Avenue. It was built in 1891. All apparatus was horse-drawn. Beginning in 1912,
Memphis fire apparatus started converting over to motorized vehicles. Over the next 75 years, this
building housed Engine 5, Engine 9, Ladder Co. 1, Truck 1, Snorkel 1, the Water Tower, High Pressure
1, the Flood Light Truck, Magnum 1, the Division 1 Deputy Chief, along with nearly all chief officers of
the department. In the rear of this building was the first Apparatus Maintenance shop and the first Fire
Alarm Office. In 1966, demolition began to make way for a modern fire headquarters building at the
same location. The Fire Chief's office was moved to Armour Center. Engine 5 was relocated to Station 2
on Main Street. Engine 9 was relocated to Station 1 at 118 Adams. Snorkel 1 was relocated to Station 3
at 200 Linden Avenue and High Pressure 1 was relocated to Station 8 at 832 Mississippi. Construction
lasted for over another year and the new, modern headquarters building was opened in 1968.
Demolition of old Headquarters began in 1966.