Texas Fire World
March-April 2005
By Donna Berny

The Edinburg Fire Museum first opened its doors in July of 2002 as a tribute to all Edinburg Volunteer Firefighters past and present. During its construction, no volunteer firefighters were allowed to set foot inside the building. Chairman of the Museum Committee, Richard Drewry said the creation of the museum was meant to be a surprise, that all those to whom the museum is dedicated might only set eyes on the finished product.

Located across from Central Station, the museum was leased to the fire department for a duration of 50 years for the bargain price of one dollar. Committee members held fund raisers such as barbeques and pumper races in order to begin remodeling the building.

Presently, the museum features many historical displays about the department including a pictorial newspaper, original charter and 1947 bylaws, activities department members participated in, and a pictorial history of department members.

The museum also has a special section set aside as a memorial to 9/11. The museum is open to the public and acknowledges the history and tradition that makes up the present fire department. Committee members hope to add on to the museum in the coming years by adding computer based interactive systems useful for teaching the youth of the community about fire safety.

In addition, the museum serves to inspire and motivate future participants in continuing its long time history of service to the community.