Aurora Regional Fire Museum — Attraction in Aurora Township

We arrived on a Friday during the early afternoon, so the museum was empty except for a few incredibly helpful volunteers/curators. They quickly introduced us to the exhibits and the history of the museum, and asked for a bit of basic information about where we are from. They did note that the museum is largely funded by donations, so be sure to bring a bit of cash along to drop into the box before you walk the exhibit floor.

The stations are set up based on 3 major time periods, with touch screens and hands-on history for children (or children-at-heart). Take your time reading through the text and looking at the pictures to get the full experience--the museum is small, and not reading these items will result in a very quick (almost unnecessary) visit. The most worthwhile part, for this reviewer, was the 3 classic fire engines (4 counting the steam-powered horse driven model) restored and presented on the museum floor.

The small exhibit upstairs detailing items received from the Smithsonian and the purpose of museums in general seems a bit out of place, and very incomplete/in need of more specific purpose/curation. Hopefully that collection gets better funded so that a more permanent version with a more central vision can take place and help the items received fit more clearly...

I've wanted to visit here for years! While some of the videos are glitchy and don't work, the intimate space and interactive parts for little ones makes this a fun, quick outing for a family. The staff were delightful to talk too as well! I would like to suggest though, that the city highlight fire fighter contributions, both historical and current, of people of color, there's definitely an erasure of black and brown faces in the museum exhibits and this perpetuates anti blackness in our school children and all children who visit. Africans we're brought here in 1619 and indigenous folks were here already, living in society, but the exhibits starting in the late 17 and 18 hundreds are completely devoid of any presence of anyone of color, which isn't accurate history. Let's go further then what revised history offers us and dig to find diverse humanity...

My husband and I recently hosted our twin boys 3 year old birthday party at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum and everyone had a blast! The venue is huge, easy to walk around, super informational, and the kids discovery room is AMAZING! It is hard to find a place where both kids and adults can have a good time and we definitely think the fire museum does both. The Executive Director Brian and Museum Coordinator Molly were extremely easy to work with and helped us set up the best birthday ever! We love this place and will definitely be back again visiting with friends and family! Thank you again Aurora Regional...