Discover & Learn

The Fire House, 1908

This was one of several structures built by the Shakers at the beginning of the 20th century to modernize their community. It was built as a combined firehouse and garage; the garage was used to store the village's first automobile (a 1908 Reo Touring Car) and the village's fire engine, and the tower was used for hanging and drying fire hose. Originally a square (28x28 foot) structure, in 1916 the garage was enlarged by cutting it apart in the center, moving the eastern half over 12 feet, and filling in between.

This wood-framed building was designed with the goal of being fireproof; it is clad in pressed metal shingles, has tin interior walls and ceilings, and a cement floor.

The Fire House is not open to the public.