Firefighters volunteer house for museum duty

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From the Poughkeepsie Journal

Friday, July 6, 2007

Firefighters volunteer house for museum duty

Booth facility to be replaced

By Michael Valkys

Poughkeepsie Journal

The City of Poughkeepsie's century-old O.H. Booth Hose Company on Main Street will soon close when firefighters move to a new public safety facility nearby.

Rather than see the old firehouse sold to a private owner, or sit vacant, the city-based Exempt Firemen's Association has another idea: Convert it into a museum highlighting the city's firefighting history and open it to the public for tours and fire safety lessons.

"It's just an ideal fit,'' association board Chairman Chris Petsas said. The hose company is named after O.H. Booth, who also founded the association that has been the voice of volunteer firefighters for 121 years.

"It's just a great piece of firefighting history,'' Petsas said of the Booth company. "And it should stay that way.''

The Booth building, constructed when firefighters used horse-drawn engines to battle blazes, can no longer effectively serve the fire department's needs. So firefighters will move to the new public safety building, just west of the old hose company.

No date officially set

City officials said the new facility is in the final stages of construction. No opening date has been set, but it should be ready before the end of the year.

The 21,576-square-foot facility will be at 497-507 Main St. Along with firefighters, the building will likely house the police department's traffic and community policing bureaus, and perhaps the city's animal control division.

Other police will remain at the department's city hall headquarters off Civic Center Plaza.

In a letter to city officials, Petsas said the association would raise money for needed repairs at Booth.

"We are committed to raising the money and attention of the residents in making what is now a building of disrepair into something, once again, the entire community can be proud of,'' Petsas wrote. "With tons of historical items already in our possession and a burning desire to see a cleaner, safer and more vibrant Main Street and community, we look forward to making this goal come true.''

Petsas said the association has about 2,100 members from around Dutchess County. He hopes the city will donate the building to the exempts, with the club responsible for any needed renovations.

"We have the resources to make it happen,'' Petsas said.

Association President Robert Boyles Jr., the Wassaic fire chief, said the Booth site would be ideal for teaching young people about fire safety, prevention and more.

"Fire safety is probably one of the biggest things you can teach a child,'' Boyles said, noting many fires are started by children playing with matches and other dangerous items.

"Hopefully, they will save some lives,'' Petsas said of planned educational programs.

City Administrator James Marquette said no decision has been made on Booth's future.

"We have to have some discussions as to what's the best use,'' Marquette said, adding it could be sold to a private owner.

"It's a great building for the private sector,'' he said.

Petsas hopes the 100-year-old Booth site remains connected to volunteerism and firefighting - like the man it's named after.

"We want to make sure that legacy,'' Petsas said, "continues to shine here in Poughkeepsie.''

Reach Michael Valkys at mvalkys@poughkeepsiejournal.com or 845-437-4816.