Welcome to 2026 at the Museum of Fire

As we step into 2026, I am delighted to welcome you to another exciting year at the Museum of Fire. The beginning of a new year is always a moment to pause, to reflect on where we have come from, and to look ahead with optimism at what is still to unfold. At the Museum of Fire, this balance between reflection and forward momentum sits at the heart of everything we do, and 2026 promises to be a year full of connection, learning, and shared experiences.

The Museum has long been a place where history, service, and community come together. Whether you visit us as a family enjoying a day out, a lifelong enthusiast of firefighting and automotive history, or someone discovering our stories for the very first time, we are proud to offer a space that feels welcoming, engaging, and deeply connected to the people of New South Wales. This year, our events program reflects that commitment more than ever.

We begin the year in April with Junior Caretakers Day, a special event that invites children to help care for the Museum grounds by planting flowers in our gardens. Held in connection with Earth Day, this event encourages young visitors to think about their environment, how we care for the planet, and the important relationship between firefighting and the natural world. It is a hands-on way to explore responsibility, sustainability, and community care, and it is always a joy to see children take pride in contributing to the Museum in such a meaningful way.

Junior Caretakers Day

17 April 2026, 10:00 am – 12:00 pmMuseum of Fire

Event Information

Following Junior Caretakers Day, we will welcome motoring enthusiasts for General Motors Day, a popular celebration of automotive history that showcases the history and heritage of General Motors vehicles. Events such as this reflect the Museum’s broader role as a place where automotive history can be shared and celebrated, alongside our firefighting collections.

In May, we are proud to host the Fire and Rescue NSW Open Day, a highlight of our annual calendar. This event brings modern firefighting into conversation with historical practice, offering demonstrations, displays, and opportunities to meet firefighters who continue to serve our communities today. It is a powerful reminder that the history we preserve is living history, shaped by the ongoing dedication of those on the frontline.

Fire and Rescue NSW Open Day

9 May 2026, 10:00 am – 2:00 pmMuseum of Fire

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Family days remain a cornerstone of the Museum’s programming, and in 2026 we look forward to welcoming visitors to both Winter Family Day in July and Spring Family Day in September. These events transform the Museum into a vibrant, festival-style space filled with activities, demonstrations, and opportunities to explore at your own pace. They are designed to be enjoyed across generations, creating moments of shared discovery for families and friends.

Winter Family Day

12 July 2026, 10:00 am – 2:00 pmMuseum of Fire

Event Information

Spring Family Day

23 January 2026, 7:00 – 11:00 pmMuseum of Fire

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Creativity also plays an important role in our community engagement, and later in the year we will open entries for our annual Art Competition. This competition is open to young artists from Kindergarten through to Year 6 and invites students to respond creatively to themes inspired by firefighting, service, and resilience. The competition culminates in December with the opening of the Art Competition Exhibition, a celebration of imagination and creativity that showcases the talents of young people from across our community.

October brings the return of our ever-popular Halloween Celebrations, when the Museum takes on a playful and slightly spooky atmosphere for families to enjoy. We will also welcome enthusiasts back for All Chrysler Day, continuing our tradition of celebrating significant automotive histories as a part of our broader commitments to motoring heritage.

Halloween Celebrations

24 October 2026 at 9:30 am – 31 October 2026 at 4:30 pmMuseum of Fire

Event Information

While the year ahead is full of exciting events, 2026 also invites us to look back and reflect on key moments in firefighting history that have shaped the service we know today.

One hundred and forty years ago, in 1886, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade took a major step forward with the opening of its first suburban fire stations. Stations at Stanmore and George Street West marked a significant expansion of organised fire protection beyond Sydney’s central core. In May of that year, No. 3 Station at Marrickville was established and occupied by four married members of the Brigade, including the officer in charge. From this station, firefighters protected a broad sweep of suburbs including Petersham, Stanmore, Newtown, Leichhardt, Marrickville, St Peters, and Cook’s River.

Marrickville Fire Station, c. 1890s [Museum of Fire Collection]

Later that same year, the completion of No. 2 Station at George Street West further strengthened coverage across Pyrmont, Ultimo, Redfern, Darlington, and surrounding districts. These stations were considered highly modern for their time, carefully designed and fitted with the latest appliances available. It was also during this period that the location of a new central fire station for the City of Sydney was determined, a station that continues to operate to this day. At the helm of the Brigade in 1886 was Superintendent William Bear, overseeing a period of growth and transformation that laid critical foundations for the future.

George Street West Fire Station, c. 1912 [Museum of Fire Collection]

Fast forward one hundred years to 1926, and the fire brigade found itself facing unprecedented demand. That year marked the busiest in the organisation’s history to that point, with 3,726 fire calls responded to across metropolitan Sydney alone, surpassing the previous record set just three years earlier. By this time, the organisation had evolved into the New South Wales Fire Brigades and was led by Chief Officer Frank Jackson. Notably, Jackson was the first Chief Officer to have begun his career as a probationary firefighter, reflecting the growing professionalism and opportunities for advancement within the service.

Special Fire Brigades display of Ancient and Modern fire appliances during visit of Governor of NSW Sir Dudley De Chair at Headquarters Sydney, 30 June 1926 [Museum of Fire Collection]

1926 also saw a fascinating moment of public engagement, when firefighters hosted a special exhibition at City of Sydney Fire Station. Firefighters dressed in ancient attire and demonstrated firefighting techniques from Greco-Egyptian times, through the Middle Ages, and into the modern era for the enjoyment of the Governor of New South Wales. It was an early example of the Brigade recognising the value of sharing its history with the wider community, a mission that continues today at the Museum of Fire.

Fifty years ago, in 1976, the New South Wales Fire Brigades again stood at a point of transition. That year saw the formal handover of fire protection responsibilities in Canberra back to the ACT, concluding a period that began in 1958. At the same time, the Brigade invested heavily in its future, constructing more than ten new fire stations and introducing over seventeen new fire engines across the state. These developments significantly enhanced the capability of crews and reflected an organisation continually adapting to meet the needs of a growing population.

From suburban expansion in the 1880s, to record-breaking demand in the 1920s, to modernisation in the 1970s, the history of firefighting in New South Wales is one of resilience, innovation, and service. At the Museum of Fire, we are proud to preserve these stories, not as static moments in time, but as part of a living legacy that continues to shape our communities.

-Blog by Acting CEO Ben Dickson