Vintage Fire Museum – 2019 Accomplishments
- Had visitors from Germany, France, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Israel, Ghana, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, India, Mexico, Canada, Scotland, and Puerto Rico! The total number of international visitors from these 14 countries/territories was 49. (Based on the sign-in book; could have been more.)
- Had visitors from 39 states throughout the United States. Apart from Indiana and Kentucky, large numbers were from Ohio, Illinois, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and New York. We had at least 739 visitors from outside Indiana and Kentucky.
- Hosted 53 groups (motorcoach tours, scouts, schools, birthday parties, funeral visitation, etc.). Even hosted one scout group at 2:00 AM!
- Set an attendance record – over 5950 visitors (an increase of 24.5% over 2018!).
- Helped host the national convention of SPAAMFAA (Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Motorized Fire Apparatus in America).
- Was awarded grants of $135,000.
- Had a record number of 150 memberships including 67 at the family level ($40) and 43 at the level of $100 or more. (Of members from this region, approximately 1/3 were from Clark County, 1/3 from Floyd County, and 1/3 from Louisville.)
- Operated all phases of the Museum entirely on volunteer labor – a total of 3,840 volunteer hours!
- Presented a popular “Women in the Fire Service” exhibit and program.
- Submitted a successful bid on an expansion building for emphasizing fire safety education.
- Prepared for a capital campaign to fund the expansion.