Reading Fire Museum
Reading Fire Museum
5
About
The Reading Area Fire Museum is housed in the 1876 built Liberty Fire Co.station. The museum collection consisting of firefighting memorabilia, antique furnishings, and the John Wanamaker designed "best room" is situated on three floors. Lean about firefighting in Berks county from 1771 to present day.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
11 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
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0
Linda L
Cherry Hill, NJ3 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Several fire trucks and equipment from the 1700s and the 1800s have been lovingly and beautifully restored and were fascinating to see. We loved the stories of the lifelong dedication of the horses that lived in the firehouse who left their stalls and lined up at attention ready to be harnessed and pull the equipment when the bells rang. There were pieces that honored these horses that served and showcased their tails and horseshoes and it was obvious how much these horses were loved. Upstairs room included many historic pieces of the time period. We ended up spending 2 full hours in this museum and would highly recommend!
Written 27 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca Z
2 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
The guides in this historical treasure are retired firemen who have loved those work and share this enthusiasm.
They tell stories and were excellent with my 4 kids.
The building, especially the second floor was a delightful surprise in the rich architecture and decor of bygone era. Beautiful preserved and restored pieces.
Highly recommend this tour.
They tell stories and were excellent with my 4 kids.
The building, especially the second floor was a delightful surprise in the rich architecture and decor of bygone era. Beautiful preserved and restored pieces.
Highly recommend this tour.
Written 30 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Todd B
Gettysburg, PA77 contributions
Sept 2022
Old firehouse that has amazing ornate woodwork throughout and amazing silver "horns" etc. Some interesting artifacts from past firehouses etc.
Written 3 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer G
11 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
We had an amazing time learning about the local Reading Area history of firefighters. I was not an avid firefighter history buff but I was impressed with the collection. The tour guides were real life heroes who are passionate and knowledgeable and made me want to learn. The memorabilia, the fire trucks, the clothes and equipment, plus the architecture, artwork, and Wanamaker furniture collection was just awesome. I recommend everyone to take an hour or two to see it and learn.
Written 14 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnnyRobert
Downingtown, PA2 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
WOW! what a great tour we had. The building is stunning and with amazing content. The tour guide was great he had great stories of firefighting in the past. The kids loved having the pictures taken on the fire truck
Written 20 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
selvanegra2018
Sterling, VA4 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
I am a descendant of one of the 19th to early 20th century members of the Liberty Company, The tour is quite comprehensive. I was lucky to find that they have records for those who are interested in looking up genealogy. They have pieces that are timeless. This is a place I would go back to many times!!! A must for a visit to Reading.
Written 18 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz D
Sinking Spring, PA25 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
The Reading Fire Museum is an incredible collection of fire fighting memorabilia and artifacts. The building is an old firehouse, and several rooms have the original furnishings from the belle epoche era. It’s a snapshot of the time when social clubs were in their heyday. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 27 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dave franssen
1 contribution
Apr 2019 • Solo
3 stories packed with firefighting apparatus and artifacts well displayed.The history of the earliest Reading Volunteer Fire Companies and contemporary paid Municipal Fire Department are well presented. I've been to this museum in years prior to the renovations and display cases upgrades- it was great before now it is magnificent.
Written 24 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wtfdff15
1 contribution
Apr 2019 • Friends
I took a guided tour through the 3 stories of this historic fire station and was just blown away by the grandnes of the building and the beautiful collection they had!
Written 24 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Higheagle
Hartford, CT2 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
I recently revisited this museum after it had gone through months of renovations and loving restoration. The building itself is historicly significant and just plain amazing. It gives a wonderful view of a large volunteer fire company and its operation well over 100 years ago. Areas include a large social room on the main floor, the companies officers business office ( a large well appointed suite ) and a large entertainment room. The third floor is expansive, and was used for pool and other games.
The collection of artifacts in these areas is extensively filled. Redding had a multitude of volunteer fire companies at one time. Most of these groups travelled to visit many other cities as well as hosting visitors. Much of the gifts exchanged between companies have been aquired for display. Beautiful parade helmets and silver engraved speaking trumpets abound. Uniforms and other memorabilia are nicely displayed in glass cases, and most all displays have wonderful signage to understand and enjoy the history.
This museum will delight everyone from the most ardent fire buff to the casual person interested in American history. Step back in time, and let me know if you too, smell a hint of cigsr smoke in the Wannamaker Room!
The collection of artifacts in these areas is extensively filled. Redding had a multitude of volunteer fire companies at one time. Most of these groups travelled to visit many other cities as well as hosting visitors. Much of the gifts exchanged between companies have been aquired for display. Beautiful parade helmets and silver engraved speaking trumpets abound. Uniforms and other memorabilia are nicely displayed in glass cases, and most all displays have wonderful signage to understand and enjoy the history.
This museum will delight everyone from the most ardent fire buff to the casual person interested in American history. Step back in time, and let me know if you too, smell a hint of cigsr smoke in the Wannamaker Room!
Written 24 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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