Remsen Firehouse Community Visitor Center and Museum · The second floor is occupied by the City of New Brunswick Fire Department as a meeting area and museum for their fine collection

Remsen Firehouse Community Visitor Center and Museum New Brunswick, NJ

DIGroupArchitecture developed an active reuse of a decommissioned firehouse to create a new fireman’s museum and community center.

Project Size 5,274sf Renovations2,560sf Addition

Project Location The City of New Brunswick78 Bayard StreetNew Brunswick, NJ 08901

Project Cost $1,500,000

Completion Date 2015

Project Reference Mayor James Cahill732.745.5004

In order to maximize the use of the existing building for program space, a new addition houses a new access/exit stair from the second floor, elevator for handicapped access, toilet facilities and a small area for office space.

The first floor contains a reception desk, director’s office, staff workroom, and instructional kitchen with direct access to Suydam Street for deliveries. The second floor is occupied by the City of New Brunswick Fire Department as a meeting area and museum for their fine collection of artifacts. Signage and wayfinding design was completed to direct visitors from point of entry and throughout the museum spaces.

◄ Exterior view, the addition

▼ New exit stair

EXISTING CONDITIONS - FRONT/BACK ELEVATIONSSCALE: 1/8” = 1’ - 0”

A4.

▲ Preliminary ConceptFirst Floor Plan

► Existing front elevation

◄ Second floor meeting spaceAfter completing a thorough facility assessment and existing conditions report, we were able to develop concept plans and sketches for the renovation of and addition to the firehouse. The City’s goals for a beautiful and efficient museum and community space were met with ADA accessibility and utility upgrades.

▼ Community instructional kitchen

▲ Reception deskVisitors use the community entrance that was added to the existing building, which will guide them to the reception desk and remaining spaces.

► Community entry

PRELIMINARY CONCEPT - 2ND FLOOR PLANSCALE: 1/8” = 1’ - 0”

1. Fireman’s Gallery2. Fireman’s Interactive Museum3. Meeting Room4. Prep Kitchen5. Storage Room6. Curator’s Office7. Toilet Room

A FEASIBILITY STUDYPROPOSED ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS81 REMSEN AVE, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 8.

EXISTING CONDITIONS - FRONT/BACK ELEVATIONSSCALE: 1/8” = 1’ - 0”

A4.

▲ Preliminiary conceptsecond floor plan

◄ Existing back elevation

OWNER ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHIC DESIGN PROJECT DRAWING SCALE NOTES

DIGROUPARCHITECTURE15 BETHANY STREETNEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901T: 732.249.6242F: 732.247.1825

1/2” = 1’-0”CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK

FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM81 REMSEN AVENUENEW BRUNSWICK, NJ

MAIN HALL - SOUTH WALL

EXHIBIT MH9EVOLUTION OF THE FIRE ENGINE

MH9PAGE

EXHIBIT MH9 EXHIBIT COMPONENTS(3) SIGN PANELS W/CABLE SYSTEM(2) DISPLAY CASES

SMI UNFINISHED NATURAL BIRCH STACKABLE FILES STAINED TO MATCH EXISTING STEAM ENGINE DISPLAY CABINET, SATIN FINISH.

(6) SETS OF THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS(1) Large Cap: 46" x 33¾" x ¾"(2) Large 3-Drawer File: 46" x 33¾" x 10½"(1) Large Base: 45¾" x 31½" x 3¼"

TBDPHOTOS & LABEL QTY/SIZESARTIFACTS

of the FIRE ENGINEEVOLUTION

(1)

SEE DRAWING EC 13 & G3 FOR LIST OF COMPONENT PARTS & LOCATION

46” x 33-3/4” x 18” height46” x 33-3/4” x 12” height

(6)

(5)Wall Mount/Dome:(1)

SETS (SEE BELOW & EC13 FOR LIST OF EXHIBIT COMPONENTS)


SMI STACKABLE FILE PARTSUNFINISHED NATURAL BIRCH STAINED BLACK, STAIN FINISH TO MATCH BASE OF GAYLORD DISPLAY CASES

46”

18”

12”

DATE02.27.2015





PRE-FUNCTION HALL

ELEVATION - DONOR RECOGNITION

PH2aPAGE

WALTER D. WETZEL

HENRY T. CHATTERLY

FRIENDS of the

CITY OF NEW BRUNSICK

FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM

BARBARA & WALTER WALLSFORD

ROBERT FITZPATRICKSAWYER



JEAN & ROBERT HANNON

DENISE & HOWARD O’MALLEY




ROGER & CLEMENTINE LOUMER

KAREN & THEODORE MILFORD

HELENATROY

BETTY SUE FLOWERS

PATRICKSTWEART

SIR IANMCKELLAN

DONALD & JULIETTE LIEBERMANN

DONALD & JULIETTE LIEBERRS

DONALD & JULIETTE LIEBERS

ANNABELLE FLOWERS

JOHN & JULIETTE LOUIS

JAMES & CAROLYNLOUIS

BETTY SUE FLOWERS

MARGARETCHO

JOHN R.THOMPSON

JOHN R.THOMPSON

MARILYNFAIRCHILD

DONALDMCCOY


PATRICKSTWEART

SIR IANMCKELLAN

WILLIAMHATFIELDMCCOY

MELANIEHATFIELD


HELENATROY

ROBERT LOUISSULLIVAN


DONALD & JULIETTE LIEBERMANN

BETTY SUE FLOWERS

JOHN R.THOMPSON

MARILYNFAIRCHILD

MELANIEHATFIELD

MELANIEHATFIELD

DONALD & JULIETTE LIEBERRS


MELANIEHATFIELD

TRANSLUCENT ACRYLIC DONOR PLAQUE SYSTEM.

ROBERT FITZPATRICKSAWYER

ROGER & CLEMENTINE LOUMER

WALTER D. WETZEL

WALTER D. WETZEL

DATE02.27.2015





MAIN HALL - EAST WALL

EXHIBIT MH7FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY

MH7PAGE

EXHIBIT COMPONENTS(3) WALLPAPER PANELS(1) SIGN PANEL(3) BACKGROUND PANELS(3) SETS PRIMARY TEXT PANELS(3) DISPLAY CASES


The New Brunswick Fire Department was formally organized in 1764 when the first Bucket Company was put into service. 12 years later, two engines were purchased and became parts of the ‘Upper and Lower Companies’.

The Phoenix Engine Company #3, was organized in 1798. The hand engine had brakes on the side and a condensing box at one end, with a goose-neck attachment. It had 6 cylinders and was the largest engine in the city.

In the early 1900’s the volunteer department was composed of 493 men, 50 men to each of the six engine companies, 20 men to each hose company, 40 men to the truck company, and 30 to the Liberty Hose.

Staasts Van Dursen was at the head of the

department, or what we now call ‘chief’. John

Dunham was foreman of the Upper and James

Schureman of the Lower Company.

The earliest recorded fire in New Brunswick

occurred on the night of February 17, 1741, when

the home of Philip French and its entire

contents were destroyed. A fire on April 14, 1768

fanned by high wind, destroyed five homes, a

bake shop, a bottling establishment and a

copper shop. The situation during the fire

became so desperate that the firemen, aided by

the military and the citizenry, had to tear down

adjoining buildings to starve out the fire and

stop the progress of the flames.

However, the worst came in 1796, when a large

fire wiped out nearly the entire city. The damage

left by this fire was so great that the state

appropriated $5,000.00 for the relief of the

sufferers, a phenomenal sum for disaster aid at

that time.

The company’s first steamer was an Amoskeag, which was put

in service in 1865 and used for 37 years, being replaced by a

Metropolitan in 1902, in use until July 1, 1914, when the

volunteer department was replaced by a paid department.

In 1804 the council voted to appropriate $400.00 for a new

engine with some left over so that the firemen could have ‘one

for the road’ after a night at work on the fire lines.

Protection Engine Company #5 was organized around 1817,

reorganized again in 1852, and used hand engines until its first

steamer, a Haupt, was put in service. In the fall of 1885, the

company got a Silsby.

In 1813, there were 24 wells in the city for use in quenching

flames. In 1818 more water was needed and consequently 15

more wells were ordered dug bringing the city’s total to 39.

The 1820’s also saw other important events occur in the

Fire Department’s history. One of these was the purchase for

$32.00 of a wagon to carry hooks and ladders to the fires.

The city also purchased 90 hats costing $2.00 each for the

firemen.

In 1947 the fire department went to a fifty, six hour work week

by adding a third platoon. At that time the department had

four engine companies which were Engines #1, 3, 4, and 5 and

one truck company which was Ladder #1. It also maintained a

squad truck, two ambulances, a generator truck and a motor

boat for water emergencies. In June 1947, Edgar Oakley

became the first African American to become a city

firefighter. 16 years James M. Carman, also an African

American was appointed. Carman eventually became the

city’s first Fire Director.

During the late 1950’s the department replaced the aging fire

alarm system with a ‘Gamewell’ system which consisted of

four hundred and ninety fire alarm boxes strategically

located throughout the city.

In 1964 the department hosted the New Jersey Exempt

Firemen’s Association Convention. A large parade was held in

the city to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the New

Brunswick Fire Department.

In October 1999 the department received a Thermal Imaging

Camera which translates heat energy into an image assisting

users in seeing through dense smoke and darkness thereby

cutting down on search time. The department currently has

four cameras, one for each front line apparatus.

F I R E D E P A R T M E N T H I S T O R YC I T Y O F N E W B R U N S W I C K

{19TH CENTURY} {18TH CENTURY}{20TH CENTURY}

EXHIBIT MH7

EXISTING WINDOW

TYP-2

DATE02.27.2015



3/4” = 1’-0”

SCALE: 1 1/2” = 1’-0”

PLACEHOLDER TEXTCITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK


PRE-FUNCTION HALL

ELEVATION - EAST WALL

ELEVATIONSECTION DETAILSSECTION

JD

PH1cPAGE

A

FIREMAN’S

PRAYER

When I am called to duty God,

Whereever flames may rage,

Give me strength to save some life,

Whatever be it's age.

Help me embrace a little child,

Before it is too late,

Or save an older person

From the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert and to hear

The weakest shout,

And quickly and efficiently,

To put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling and

To give the best in me,

To guard my every neighbour and

Protect his property.

And if according to my fate,

I am to lose my life,

Please bless with your protective hand,

My children and my wife.

(3) 3/4” x 4.25”w x 8’-7”h x

CLEAR ACRYLIC PANELS, 1ST

SURFACE LIGHTLY SANDED,

EDGES POLISHED. 2ND SUR-

FACE TRANSLUCENT ADHE-

SIVE VINYL - COLOR 3.

(7) 3/4” x 4.25”w x 8’-7”h CLEAR

ACRYLIC PANELS, 1ST SURFACE

LIGHTLY SANDED, EDGES

POLISHED. 2ND SURFACE

TRANSLUCENT ADHESIVE

VINYL - COLOR 2.

3/4” x 2’-5 1/4”w x 3’-3”h CLEAR

ACRYLIC PANEL W/LASER-CUT

STARS. 1ST SURFACE LIGHTLY

SANDED, EDGES POLISHED.

2ND SURFACE TRANSLUCENT

ADHESIVE VINYL - COLOR 1.

DATE02.27.2015

▲ Museum Exhibit Graphics, Signage & WayfindingAs part of the plan for redevelopment, environmental graphics, signage, and display case concepts were created. These pay homage to the history of the firemen that served New Brunswick, and educate the community center tourists throughout the museum.

Remsen Firehouse Community Visitor Center and Museum · The second floor is occupied by the City of New Brunswick Fire Department as a meeting area and museum for their fine collection

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