"Heroic Measures" opens at the Cayuga Museum

This past Friday, the Cayuga Museum of History and Art opened its new exhibit "Heroic Measures: Fire Fighting in Cayuga County".  In my nine years of work at the museum, I have to say that this is one of the best designed exhibits we have ever had.  If you get a chance to go, I urge you to see the exhibit.  

The exhibit itself details the history of the one professional and multiple volunteer fire fighting units in our county.  At the same time, it also features a study of the evolution of the equipment of the firefighters from their helmets to the vehicles they drive.  This includes a focus on firetrucks from the hand-drawn and horse-drawn eras through the early motorized period.  

The upstairs floor of the museum is where the exhibit really becomes interactive.  One room recreates the conditions of what it would be like in a burning room.  It also includes information on how you and your family can create an escape plan in case you should ever experience a fire.  A second room is designed with our younger visitors in mind.  It includes a full scale photo of one of Auburn's fire trucks that has 3-D pipes and guages.  The room also recreates the feel of the fire house.  It has jackets and helmets for the kids to try on and get their photos taken in.  It also includes a fire hydrant and hoses so the kids can learn how firefighters connect the hose from hydrant to the truck.  

In closing, as we get ready for Memorial Day, it is important to remember not only our brave soldiers but also the men and women of the fire and police forces of the world.  What better way than to examine their history.  So feel free to visit the museum and see our new exhibit, not to mention maybe say "hi".

Cheers,

Nick in Gettysburg