Dick Wolfsie learns about fire protection of the past at Koorsen Museum
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Each and every week Dick Wolfsie shares a story that is unique to central Indiana.
This week Dick went to a museum in Indianapolis that is dedicated to the history of fire protection.
The Koorsen Museum is located at 2820 N Webster Ave and it features everything from various models of fire extinguishers and helmets, to advertisements and buckets. The artifacts show visitors how far fire protection has come since the first leather fire bucket was created.
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“They are all antique,” said Randy Koorsen with Koorsen Fire and Security. “They date back to, I think my oldest one is 1789.”
Koorsen explained that firefighters throughout history weren’t the only ones required to have leather buckets.
“Fire buckets were used in the East Coast, primarily around Boston, Philadelphia. Businesses and people had to have them so if there was a fire, they would take their bucket outside and help the bucket brigade move the water from a well to the pumper.”
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Koorsen also has a massive collection of fire extinguishers, but the first one he received was special.
“That’s the first fire extinguisher of the museum, and my father gave it to me, and actually I’ve never seen another one like it,” said Koorsen.
Koorsen has around 800 fire extinguishers in the museum’s collection. The oldest one dates back to about 1868.
Koorsen said he started the museum because he’s in the fire and security business and had stumbled upon many interesting fire-related artifacts that he found fascinating. He’s continued the museum’s collection by perusing eBay, nationwide shows and flea markets.
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