The museum, located in a renovated 1904 firehouse at 278 Spring St., has been closed since May 2024 because of concerns about the building's structural integrity.
"I can't believe we're back, it's been a long road since last October," said Dominick DeRubbio, Executive Director of the New York City Fire Museum.
The reopening happened ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the deadliest day in FDNY history. Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore attended the ceremony.
DeRubbio recounted how his uncle lost his life on Sept. 11.
"The members who have died and who have died from illnesses carry me throughout my day," he said.
The museum houses historic FDNY firefighting artifacts and memorabilia, including items dating to the era of horse-drawn apparatus. Despite the repairs, thousands of artifacts on display remained in place.
The World Trade Center Responder Bell will arrive to the museum soon from the Marinelli Foundry in Agnone, Italy.
"It's a lasting reminder of the extraordinary bravery displayed by our members that day," Bonsignore said of the museum. "Preserving history requires dedication."
She urged everyone to spend some time exploring the exhibits and remember that it's all due to a story of service that never ends.
Visitors will now enter through a new glass entrance featuring new flooring decorated with enlarged patches from FDNY and EMS houses across the city.
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