Loveland Fire Exhibit

Location

The Loveland Fire Exhibit is currently located in the Beet Education Center at the Loveland Museum.

You can visit us at:
201 East 5th St
Loveland, CO 80537

Hours of Operation

May - September: 2nd & 4th Saturday from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm
October - April: 2nd Saturday from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm

Loveland Fire Exhibit

The Loveland Fire Exhibit was conceived in 2008 with the cooperation of the Loveland Fire Rescue Incorporated (a volunteer organization), Loveland Fire Rescue Department, City of Loveland Museum/Gallery and Loveland retired firefighters.

A team of retired firefighters and associates began the process of collecting, sorting, fixing, cataloging, and preparing displays of the fire artifacts in the "sequel" building provided by the Loveland Museum/Gallery. The exhibit's grand opening was held Friday, October 9, 2009. During its tenure, it hosted many visitors and groups from a variety of cities and states.

The collection of artifacts provides the history of the fire service in Loveland from 1883 to the present and consists of pictures, newspaper articles, equipment, protective clothing, and more. Included are the original hose teams, auxiliaries, the development of the training facility, and advancements in apparatus.

Loveland Fire Exhibit, Inc. is continuing to collect fire service artifacts.

In February 2018, retired Fire Chief Jack Sullivan passed away. Chief Sullivan was the person who met with the Loveland Museum director with the idea of the fire exhibit. Chief Sullivan was the co-chair for the team preparing the fire exhibit and the first president of the Loveland Fire Exhibit, Inc. His leadership will be missed.

Loveland Fire Exhibit

A group of retired Loveland firefighters and associates formed the Loveland Fire Exhibit Inc. in 2010 as a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization. Our mission is to support the Loveland Museum/Gallery in preserving the history of the Loveland Fire Services honoring its members for the present and future generations and providing Loveland Fire history education to schools and the general public.

Current Board of Directors

President - Mark Lyons, Captain, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority
Vice President - Merlin Deets
Secretary - Chris Klaas, Retired Division Chief, Loveland Fire Rescue Department
Treasurer - Diane Lyons, Past member, of Loveland Fire Sirens

The Fire Exhibit has 7 active members, mainly retired firefighters, spouses, and active firefighters, but membership is open to anyone who wishes to support our mission and comply with our by-laws. We usually meet on the fourth Wednesday of odd months, depending on holidays. We meet in the community room at Loveland Fire Station Number 2, 3070 West 29th Street. We are a fairly informal group and always have a good time. Anyone wishing for membership, please send a request via email.

We participate in local parades, and car shows and are honored to take deceased firefighters on their last ride.

Loveland Fire Exhibit-Owned Vehicles

1925 american LaFrance pumper. It was purchased new by the City of Loveland and restored in 1999 by the Loveland Volunteer Fire Department Inc. It is now on display at Loveland Fire Station Number 1.
1939 Ford one ton panel van. Purchased new by the City of Loveland as an ambulance.
1928 Ford Model A roadster, custom-built to resemble a fire truck and purchased by the Loveland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. for a parade vehicle.
1969 Mack CF600 pumper. The City of Loveland's first diesel fire truck. Modified by Loveland Fire Exhibit, Inc. in 2015 for a parade and funeral vehicle.
We were fortunate that Division Chief Greg Ward found the owner of the 50-foot ladder truck built by the fire department in the 1950's. It was sold in 1976 when the fire department purchased the 85-foot Sutphen aerial tower. Our thanks to the Corns family of Colorado Auto and Parts, Englewood CO, for their generosity, in donating the truck to us for $1. The ladder truck is now being repaired to running condition for parade use.

Future of the Fire Exhibit

Currently a small display of the Loveland Fire Exhibit is currently located in the:

The Beet at the Loveland Museum
201 East 5th St
Loveland, CO 80537

Follow us on Facebook for articles on apparatus, early incidents, member profiles, and more. The response to our Facebook has been very good. Thanks to Lynn Stauffer for the great articles.

Available for Purchase at the Loveland Museum & Gallery

Loveland fire history book, “Loveland Fire Department- The First 125 Year”. Second printing (2016) includes historical information, photos, and stories of the first 125 years (1883-2008) with updates and a new chapter on the formation of the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority. Available at the Loveland Museum and Gallery: $25.00.

28-minute DVD of the original fire exhibit at the museum’s sequel building. It provides the history of the Loveland fire service, with artifacts from the Bartholf Hose Company, Loveland Hook & Ladder Company # 1, Loveland Fire Sirens, and historic artifacts including equipment, apparatus, and protective gear. Available at the Loveland Museum and Gallery: $10.00.