Aurora Regional Fire Museum

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Aurora Regional Fire Museum The Aurora Regional Fire Museum is located in Aurora's old Central Fire Station. Visitors can pass a leather fire bucket from the early 1800s.

The museum is open to the public regular hours, and features a variety of interactive exhibits designed to educate and entertain children, families, and firefighters. The museum's primary exhibit, "Getting There, Getting Water, Getting Rescued" traces the evolution of the tools and technology used by firefighters. See the horse stalls and the "real" fire horses. Discover what was found under the floor boards of the old central fire station. Marvel at the strange looking Vajen-Bader smoke mask. See and hear how modern fire apparatus clears the streets with sirens, air horns, and devices that change traffic lights green. Watch vintage film clips of firefighters and fire engines on one of five video touch-screens. All this in addition to five pieces of fire apparatus on display in a fully restored 1894 fire station.

Stop by the museum today for Trick or Treating in Downtown Aurora!
10/24/2026

Stop by the museum today for Trick or Treating in Downtown Aurora!

Tonight is Whispers in the Firehouse! USE CODE SMOKY FOR 25% OFF YOUR TICKET ORDER!This is your last chance to explore ...
10/23/2026

Tonight is Whispers in the Firehouse!
USE CODE SMOKY FOR 25% OFF YOUR TICKET ORDER!
This is your last chance to explore the museum on your own with provided EMF readers after learning all about the spooky history of Old Central!

Tickets are $30 for members and for $40 for nonmembers and can be purchased here: bit.ly/Whispers_OldCentral

Whispers in the Firehouse: A Haunted Evening at Old Central

This photo of Captain William Jacobs was taken on this day in 1916. Born in Ohio in 1852, Jacobs first day of duty at Ol...
10/22/2026

This photo of Captain William Jacobs was taken on this day in 1916.

Born in Ohio in 1852, Jacobs first day of duty at Old Central Station was recorded in the Aurora Beacon as June 1, 1901. But he was no stranger to public service as he had worked as a police officer for 9 years before joining the fire department.
Jacobs originally worked as a driver within the department. But by 1906, Jacobs was listed alternatively as a “plugman” or a “hoseman” (the person who connected hose to hydrants) and was one of the paid firefighters of Company 1.
Jacobs became Captain of No. 5 Co. in 1908. He was active in the department, often working on committees for events such as the Firemen’s Ball and the Illinois Firefighter Association’s annual meeting.
In 1921, Chief Lohmann made a request to the city council that Jacobs be retired due to his age but the council stated that they had no authority to fire someone because of their age, only if they were ineffective at their job or they had violated department rules. Jacobs would eventually retire in 1923 at age 71.

William Jacobs passed away in May of 1939.
For his funeral Asst. Chief Carl Patterson, Capt. Ed Bettcher, Capt. Bert Schoo, Lyle Brown, John Kramp, Emil Schoo served as pall bearers and Chief Ryan, Lt. Bill Ernst, Lt. Ed Johnston, Art Moos, Herb Hoffman, John Meyers, Dave Hickey, Carl Numrich, John Coughlin, Adolph Meisch, John Kellen and Ed Baum served as the honor guard.

USE CODE SMOKY FOR 25% OFF YOUR TICKET ORDER!Our final Whispers in the Firehouse is this Friday October 23rd from 7-9pm!...
10/21/2026

USE CODE SMOKY FOR 25% OFF YOUR TICKET ORDER!
Our final Whispers in the Firehouse is this Friday October 23rd from 7-9pm!

Gather with your fellow paranormal enthusiasts for snacks and stories and the opportunity to explore the museum on your own with EMF readers.

Tickets are $30 for members and for $40 for nonmembers and can be purchased here: bit.ly/Whispers_OldCentral

Whispers in the Firehouse: A Haunted Evening at Old Central

On October 20, 1928 the Rialto Theater caught fire. Martin Carpentier and James Coleman, and a partially hidden 3rd man ...
10/21/2026

On October 20, 1928 the Rialto Theater caught fire. Martin Carpentier and James Coleman, and a partially hidden 3rd man are picture at the scene of the fire and a photo of the department hard at work to control the fire.
The Paramount Theater would eventually open on the former Rialto site.

Learn more about this and other fires in Aurora’s past in our Burned into Memory exhibit, now on display in the Charles and Georgia Goodwin Aurora Room at the museum.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first Whispers in the Firehouse last night! There were spookacular snacks, h...
10/17/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first Whispers in the Firehouse last night! There were spookacular snacks, haunted history and some ghostly encounters….

If you weren’t able to come, don’t worry! We are hosting another Whispers on Friday Oct. 23rd 7-9!

Tickets can be purchased here: bit.ly/Whispers_OldCentral

Whispers in the Firehouse: A Haunted Evening at Old Central

Tonight is our first Whispers in the Firehouse! If you haven’t purchased tickets yet there is still time! Join your fell...
10/16/2026

Tonight is our first Whispers in the Firehouse! If you haven’t purchased tickets yet there is still time! Join your fellow paranormal enthusiasts for hors d’oeuvres and spooky sips before learning about the ghostly nature of Old Central. You’ll also be able to explore the building alone if you dare…
Whispers in the Firehouse: A Haunted Evening at Old Central
Tickets are $30 for members and for $40 for nonmembers and can be purchased here: bit.ly/Whispers_OldCentral

In 1971, a parade was held for the 100th Anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire. In the photo you can see a car that was ...
10/15/2026

In 1971, a parade was held for the 100th Anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire. In the photo you can see a car that was in the parade with the sign “ Aurora Salutes the City of Chicago. 85 Aurora Firemen Were Here in 1871” Aurora firefighters and their 1869 steam fire engine took the train to the city and assisted the Chicago firefighters for 3 days before returning to Aurora.

This Friday is our first Whispers in the Firehouse! Join us from 7-9pm for some spooky smacks, and hear about the histor...
10/14/2026

This Friday is our first Whispers in the Firehouse! Join us from 7-9pm for some spooky smacks, and hear about the history of Central Station. Afterwards you will have the chance to explore the museum with an EMF reader.

Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/Whispers_OldCentral $30 for members, $40 for non-members
Whispers in the Firehouse: A Haunted Evening at Old Central

Address

53 N Broadway
Aurora, IL
60505

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+16302564140

Website

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