Sue Morrow: Plans for fire museum to include complex of museums

I kind of got out of the loop as it pertains to progress on a proposed fire museum on the grounds of the Nevada State Railroad Museum in southwest Carson City, which was the subject of my June 24 column.

Since that time members of Warren Engine Co. No. 1 volunteer fire department have met twice where the project was discussed, but unfortunately I was unable to attend both meetings.

I spoke recently with Peter Barton, acting administrator of the Nevada Division of Museums and History, and it's obvious I missed some pretty provocative stuff.

Now being explored as an alternative to a 10,000-12,000-square-foot structure solely for the purpose of displaying WECO's collection of antique equipment including fire engines, hose carts and paraphernalia is a much larger building that also could be home to other museums focused exclusively on the capital city's history.

Barton said envisioned is a complex of local Carson City museums - "a sort of museum condo where various entities would self-manage their space within a larger museum facility with common areas."

He mentioned the Carson City Historical Society as an entity that also could become involved in such a project.

He said a warehouse or other large building where the interior could be renovated could be utilized for a city museum. However, he estimates the size, at about 30,000-40,000 square feet, would be much larger than the state Railroad Museum location could accommodate.

A joint meeting with other entities that might be interested in establishing a community history museum complex will be pursued in coming weeks, Barton said.

Jed Block, a member of the city Historical Society and an avid history buff, said he would like to see a museum focusing on Carson City.

"We have a state museum," he pointed out, "but I think we're one of the few that don't have a county museum." He referred to several museums in Las Vegas, including the Clark County Museum.

As to the financial feasibility, Block noted that "in this day and age, the easiest part is coming up with the funding for a building." The hardest part is paying for staffing and utilities which are ineligible for the grant process, he said.

WECO is the oldest continuously operating volunteer fire department on the West Coast and has a small museum at the city's Lester Groth Fire Station No. 1 on Stewart Street. It boasts two fire engines including a 1913 Seagrave, several hose carts and a Honeyman pumper and many other items of historical value.

But these items are just a drop in the bucket to the scores of articles, including a fire engine or two, that are being stored at private homes and elsewhere for lack of space at the station.

A WECO fire museum at the Railroad Museum grounds is an awesome idea as is a city history museum located elsewhere in the capital city. Either way, it's a win-win proposition.

• Sue Morrow is a longtime journalist and member of the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame. She may be reached at Soozymorrow@yahoo.com.