JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Throughout the years, the Jacksonville Fire Museum has captivated community members of all ages, displaying the history of fire service across the city.
The museum closed around six years ago for renovations, but now city leaders say it’s ready to take on new life — all part of a $3.4 million project.
After a waiting game for years, the Jacksonville Fire Museum will soon be on the move.
The movement began Friday to position and prepare for the final move, but the plan is for the museum to officially be wheeled away from its location on Gator Bowl Boulevard between March 25 and 29.
Dr. Wayne Wood is on the Board of Directors of the Jacksonville Fire Museum.
“It’s about to take on new life and will actually be in a better location for a museum,” Wood said.
The 6,800 square foot museum will move to 620 E. Bay St., a new location more visible and accessible to visitors. This is not far from where the museum was first built in 1902 when it served as home to Fire Station 3.
The City of Jacksonville says at that time much of Downtown Jacksonville was rebuilding from the Great Fire of 1901.
“People will be able to see all these wonderful exhibits to tell about firefighting in Jacksonville,” Wood said.
“The move was necessary to allow redevelopment of the former Kids Kampus for the Four Seasons Hotel and residences and adjacent and office building which is set to close later this spring. These developments will bring visitors and daily activity to the Sport and Entertainment District, as well as generating new tax revenue for the City,” a spokesperson with the city told Action News Jax.
The Four Seasons Hotel development is led by Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan.
The city said the museum is a designated historic landmark. As for the new site, they say it will form one corner of the new park to be developed on the Shipyards West property.
“The building will be not only preserved, but we’re going to do some restoration work,” Wood said.
Families shared how much they’ve missed the Jacksonville Fire Museum, but they’re excited about what’s to come.
Audrey Loadholtz and her family last visited the museum in 2014.
“We just cannot wait for everything to get moving and reopen,” Loadholtz said.
She and her family were disappointed to hear the museum had closed, but she’s eager for what’s to come.
“I am very excited about what they’re doing downtown,” Loadholtz said. “I homeschool, and I do at least one field trip a week on average. So, I’m looking forward to some new opportunities in the area.”
Wood said the museum’s new location is going to be close to where the new USS Orlek ship will be located and hopefully the future home of the Museum of Science and History.
“This is going to come back to life and be a joy for people who want to come downtown and see something as special as this,” Wood said.
Wood said his team hopes the museum can open back up to the public in the next year or so.
“They made it such a personal experience for the kids and got them really excited about the history in our area,” Loadholtz said. “I hope that that trend continues.”
