Historic Restoration of the Alarm Office

Project designers, Doty and Miller Architects, have developed a thorough restoration and adaptive reuse plan for our historic building. Except for making code related improvement, most of the interior spaces will be restored to their original appearance. Restoration of the stone facade, doors, windows and ornamental metal work is planned as well as a complete redevelopment of the landscaping.

While we intend to preserve most of the building in its original state, it was determined early on that the existing entrance would not meet the needs of a busy fire museum and education center. For this reason a new entrance has been designed and will grace the East side of the building. Instead of cutting a new opening in the side of the historic facade, this design makes use of the original windows and converts them into the new doors. When completed the new entrance will be very visible from the Carnegie and Ontario intersection. A back-lit “Fire Museum” sign along with the distinctive architecture of both the restored building façade and the new portico will signal that The Western Reserve Fire Museum and Education Center is open for business.

Guests entering the Fire Museum through the new entrance will be amazed by the interior restorations, especially the Alarm Office and Dispatch Center on the second floor. A restored 40’ skylight will bathe the Alarm Office with natural light. The original Gamewell system and communications equipment will also be restored and used for demonstrations.

Right on down to the fire poles, almost all of the interiors will look much like they did in 1926 when Fire Station #28 and the Alarm Office were put into service.