New Bern Firemen’s Museum

For one of the most genuinely charming and historically rich museums in New Bern, NC, the New Bern Firemen’s Museum is a real treasure. Set on 420 Broad Street in the heart of downtown Craven County, this beloved museum is housed in a restored 1928 fire station and has been telling the story of the city’s remarkable firefighting heritage since 1955. With antique fire trucks, early firefighting equipment, hands-on exhibits for children, and one truly unforgettable preserved fire horse, the museum offers visitors a fun and substantive look into one of the proudest chapters of North Carolina civic history. Be sure to check out the YouTube video and pictures below to get a feel for the museum before you go — or to relive the visit after.

Inside a Restored 1928 Fire Station

The New Bern Firemen’s Museum occupies one of the most genuinely atmospheric buildings in downtown New Bern — a historic fire station built in 1928 that has been carefully preserved to maintain its original character. The building itself is part of the experience, with the high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and equipment bays that once housed the city’s fire engines now serving as the perfect setting for the museum’s collections.

The museum was established in 1955 and has been a beloved downtown institution ever since, drawing visitors of all ages who come to appreciate the rich firefighting history preserved within its walls.

Home of the Atlantic Hook & Ladder Company

The museum’s story is deeply tied to two early fire companies that called this part of New Bern home — the Atlantic Hook & Ladder Company, considered the first chartered fire company in North Carolina, and its rival, the Button Company. The Atlantic Hook & Ladder Company’s chartering set the stage for the kind of organized municipal firefighting that would spread across the state in the following decades, and the friendly rivalry between the two companies added a colorful chapter to the city’s civic life.

Today, the museum honors both companies and the generations of firefighters who served New Bern through artifacts, photographs, and original equipment displayed throughout the building.

The Great Fire of 1922

One of the museum’s most significant exhibits is dedicated to the Great Fire of 1922, one of the most devastating fires in North Carolina history. The fire broke out on December 1, 1922, and destroyed more than 1,000 buildings across nearly 40 city blocks — particularly the predominantly African American Greater Duffyfield neighborhood — and left approximately 3,000 residents homeless.

The museum tells the story of the fire with sensitivity and depth, helping visitors understand both the scale of the disaster and the resilience of the New Bern community in the years that followed. For visitors interested in this corner of the city’s history, this exhibit alone is worth the visit.

Meet Fire Horse Fred

Perhaps the most beloved feature of the New Bern Firemen’s Museum is Fire Horse Fred — a preserved fire horse who served the New Bern Fire Department in the era when horse-drawn fire engines were still the standard. Today, Fred is showcased prominently in the museum, beautifully preserved and serving as a one-of-a-kind connection to a chapter of firefighting history that has long since ended elsewhere.

Visitors of all ages come to see Fred, and he’s quickly become one of the museum’s signature attractions — a unique experience that makes a visit memorable long after you leave.

Antique Fire Trucks and Hands-On Exhibits

Beyond Fire Horse Fred, the museum’s collection includes:

• Antique fire trucks — including beautifully preserved vehicles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Early firefighting equipment — hoses, helmets, axes, alarm systems, and other tools that show how firefighting technology has evolved over the decades
• Hands-on, interactive displays designed for children — bringing the museum to life for young visitors who want to climb aboard, try on gear, and feel like a firefighter themselves

The combination of historic equipment, child-friendly programming, and the building’s beautifully preserved character makes the museum genuinely engaging for visitors of all ages.

Good to Know

• Established: 1955
• Building: Restored 1928 fire station
• Address: 420 Broad Street, New Bern, NC
• Historic fire companies represented: Atlantic Hook & Ladder Company (the first chartered fire company in NC) and the Button Company
• Signature exhibit: Fire Horse Fred — a preserved fire horse from New Bern’s horse-drawn engine era
• Featured event coverage: The Great Fire of 1922, which destroyed more than 1,000 buildings and reshaped the city
• Best for: Families with children, history buffs, firefighting enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the city’s resilience
• Pair with: A visit to the New Bern Academy Museum, the Regional History Museum, or a stroll through New Bern’s historic downtown
• Located at 420 Broad Street in downtown New Bern, NC

A New Bern Highlight

The New Bern Firemen’s Museum is the kind of stop that captures everything that makes downtown New Bern special — genuine history, community pride, and a few unexpected delights that make every visit memorable. The 1928 fire station setting, the Atlantic Hook & Ladder Company legacy, the moving exhibits on the Great Fire of 1922, the antique fire trucks, the hands-on family-friendly displays, and, of course, Fire Horse Fred himself all add up to one of the most rewarding museum experiences in the city. Whether you’re a longtime fan of firefighting history or a first-time visitor with kids in tow, this is one of the most genuinely delightful stops you can make in Craven County.

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RESOURCES

New Bern Firemen’s Museum Website

New Bern Firemen’s Museum Facebook

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