2025 Special Exhibit
Our 2025 Special Exhibit is the Clarence Baldwin Collection.
Clarence Baldwin was born June 3rd, 1886. He served in the Connecticut National Guard and was deployed overseas in 1918. Before and after World War I, he was employed at several manufacturing companies – a few of which produced some of the earliest motorized fire apparatus. Baldwin joined the Artic Engine Co. #1, located in Milford, CT in 1908. He was an avid collector of firefighting memorabilia. Over his time collecting, he accumulated forty-three trumpets, twenty-nine helmets, over seven hundred badges, and much more. When he passed away in 1976, much of his collection was donated to the Connecticut Firemen’s Historical Society, where it is now on display.
Artifacts
The Connecticut Firemen’s Historical Society’s museum boasts a captivating array of artifacts that illuminate the rich tapestry of firefighting history in the state. From meticulously preserved gear worn by firefighters of yesteryears to vintage firefighting apparatuses that once roared through the streets, each artifact tells a unique story of bravery, ingenuity, and community spirit.
Among the notable artifacts are historic helmets that showcase the evolution of headgear used by firefighters over the decades, highlighting the advancements in safety and technology. Visitors can also marvel at antique fire extinguishers, each a testament to the inventive solutions devised to combat flames in bygone eras.