DOWNERS GROVE – More than 100 years of Downers Grove firefighting history will be on display at the Downers Grove Museum beginning Saturday.

The exhibit, Fighting Fire: History of the Downers Grove Fire Department, will feature photos, uniforms and other artifacts to highlight 117 years of bravery.

The exhibit opening will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday at the Downers Grove Museum campus, 831 Maple Ave. A raffle drawing will offer fire-related prizes for winners. The exhibit will run through May 30.

The museum permanently houses a 1921 White Pumper fire truck, which museum supervisor Ashlee Grude said sparked the idea for the fire department tribute. The exhibit will highlight the long history of volunteer firefighters, technology and major fires or events that happened in the village, she said.

One of those major fires that will have artifacts such as photographs and newspaper clippings displayed is the Thompson Store for Men fire.

History recalls the fire started in the basement of the building, located at 5112 Main St., on Dec. 22, 1960, and spread through the floor joists to the building next door, Citizens National Bank. Firefighters had to battle the blaze for nine hours in subzero temperatures that reached minus-12.

"Thompson's was completely gutted and the bank suffered severe interior damage," Curator Sarah Stasukewicz said.

Several uniforms will be on display, as well as fireman's boots, fireman's ax, and several badges. The oldest badge on display is one from 1900 that depicts a fire cart, which would have been pulled by horses.

"There will be lot of interesting photographs and artifacts, but seeing that little horse cart on the badge – I was very excited about seeing that," Stasukewicz said.

Another event that will have artifacts on display will be the April 1946 Zephyr train crash at the train station that killed three people, she said. An original newspaper details the train derailment was caused by a tractor that fell off a freight train and onto the tracks in front of the passenger train.

The Tivoli Theater was used to triage the wounded, she said.

To bring awareness about the fire department and how it contributes to the community, there will be a firefighting-themed program each month of the exhibit, starting Jan. 31 with a Make Your Own Fire Truck craft for children.

A fire safety workshop will take place Feb. 21; a fire station movie and tour of Fire Station No. 2 will take place March 28; and Fire Truck 101 will offer a comparison between the 1921 White Pumper fire truck and a modern fire truck on display.

Admission is free to the exhibit.

For more information, go to www.dgparks.com.

---

If you go

Museum hours: 1 to 6 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Info: 630-963-1309, www.dgparks.com.