Central Ohio Fire Museum, Columbus

About Central Ohio Fire Museum

The Central Ohio Fire Museum & Learning Center in Columbus occupies an authentically restored 1908 engine house that once served as Engine House #16. Visitors take guided tours through exhibits featuring hand-pulled carts, horse-drawn steam engines, and motorized fire apparatus that trace firefighting's evolution from the 1820s to the present day. The museum displays a permanent exhibit honoring early African American firefighters in Columbus, along with rotating exhibits such as the history of the Firefighters Memorial and the Columbus Fire Department's baseball team from the 1920s and 1930s. Guests can ring the 500-pound station bell in the bell tower and explore the former barn area that once housed ten horses. Age-appropriate fire safety education classes teach visitors how to make homes fire safe and what to do during a fire. Daily guided tours run at set times throughout the day, with group tours available by appointment.