African American Firefighter Museum

The African American Firefighter Museum, previously known as Fire Station No. 30, Engine Company No. 30, is located in downtown Los Angeles and is a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. This museum serves to collect, conserve and share the history and bravery of African Americans in the Los Angeles City and County Fire Departments from 1892 to the present. The Museum is open to the public, but is strictly volunteer and donation-driven.

The Museum features two floors hosting a collection of memorabilia, artifacts, stories and photos from Los Angeles as well as other fire departments nationwide, and across the Atlantic. 

Downstairs visitors will find an old horse-drawn fire engine, with hoses stacked in the back and a collection of photos telling the stories of the firehouse when it was segregated. On the second floor, there are display cases full of memorabilia from when the station was in action, including mannequins that are positioned around each of the rooms modeling the different uniforms the firefighters would wear. 

There's even a cot set up alongside the boots, pants and a jacket that a firefighter would have had nearby in the event of an emergency so that guests can get a visual of the lifestyle these brave men lived, ready to hop into action when duty called. 

The majestic structure was actually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, having been the first of two all-black segregated fire stations in Los Angeles.

The building itself has since been restored, but still features a glimpse of the past with its original staircase and three original fire poles. 

*Be sure to check in the current hours of operation before visiting to ensure the museum is open on the day you'd like to visit