Fred Conway

12/06/1928 — 09/13/1999

As a fire engine enthusiast, Fred Conway collected and restored many different fire apparatus. Fred showed his collection in the lobby of his business, Discount Labels located in New Albany, Indiana. However his collection grew so much that he opened a museum called Vintage Fire Engines, Inc. on Mt. Tabor Road in New Albany in June 1999. By this time his collection was comprised of fourteen larger pieces that included hand-pulled pieces, horse-drawn pieces, and motorized vehicles. His collection included smaller items such as models, trumpets and lanterns. However, three months after the museums June of 1999 opening the untimely death of Fred Conway meant that the wonderful exhibit no longer had its inspiration and creator. For many years the collection was behind locked doors and unavailable to the public. In 2009, a group formed called Friends of the New Albany Fire Museum, Inc. purchased the Conway collection and created a new museum with additional pieces and purposes.