The NYC Fire Museum is currently closed indefinitely

Responding to structural concerns, the New York City Fire Museum is currently closed and will stay shut until further notice, the museum announced on its website. 

The cultural institution, located in Lower Manhattan's Hudson Square neighborhood, is home to one of the nation's most prominent collections of fire-related art, artifacts, gear and apparatus from the late 18th century to the present.

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Officials made the decision to close after an emergency evacuation on Saturday, May 11, following crane operations on Spring Street that led to concerns about the structural integrity of the building.

"The safety of our visitors and staff is our utmost priority and this closure is a precautionary measure while we await clearance," museum officials wrote on their website. "We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding during this time."

Museum officials didn't reply to Time Out's request for comment but said online that staff are "working diligently" to resolve the issue and reopen. 

Fans of the museum sent an outpouring of support on social media with comments like, "I hope all will be safe once it gets checked out and given green light to re open" and "Hoping for a quick resolution/safety clearance!"

When the museum reopens, it's worth planning a visit to explore its fascinating collection. The building itself was an active firehouse from 1904 to 1959, but the concept of the fire museum dates back even further. Its roots go all the way back to 1870! 

Today, the museum is packed with gadgetry and pageantry, from late-18th-century hand-pumped fire engines to modern equipment. It also houses a permanent exhibit commemorating firefighters’ heroism after the attack on the World Trade Center and often hosts special temporary exhibitions, like the powerful "Recovery and Reflection, Celebrating the 9/11 Tribute Museum" last fall. 

Retired FDNY firefighters volunteer to share stories of New York City's bravest on site as well.

It's also worth noting that the museum is about to embark on its largest fundraiser of the year, a golf outing on June 20 that officials say is "crucial for our mission of preserving and interpreting the history of firefighting in New York City." 

Tens of thousands of people from across the nation and the globe visit every year—clearly, for good reason. Here's to hoping they will be able to do that again soon.