Key Takeaways
- The Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades is seeking to bring back a 1948 Ford F155 Bickle Seagrave fire truck to Wilmot Township.
- The truck was previously used by the New Hamburg Fire Department and has been in a private collection in Alberta.
- A GoFundMe page has been started to help raise funds for the truck’s return, with over $4,000 already raised.
- The Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades is a non-profit organization that operates a museum in Baden, featuring hundreds of pieces of old firefighting memorabilia.
- The museum aims to restore the fire truck to its original condition and make it roadworthy for future events and exhibits.
Introduction to the Project
A museum in Wilmot Township is embarking on an exciting project to bring a piece of firefighting history back to the community. The Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades has launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the return of a 1948 Ford F155 Bickle Seagrave fire truck, which was once used by the New Hamburg Fire Department. The truck has a rich history, having been in service from 1948 to 1978 as the town’s station #1 pumper. After being sold, it changed hands several times and eventually ended up in a private collection in Alberta.
The History of the Fire Truck
The 1948 Ford F155 Bickle Seagrave fire truck has a fascinating history. It was first used by the New Hamburg Fire Department in 1948 and served the community for 30 years. During its time in service, it was an essential part of the town’s firefighting efforts, responding to emergencies and helping to keep the community safe. After being retired from service, the truck was sold and passed through several owners, eventually ending up in a private collection in Alberta. Despite being out of service for many years, the truck remains an important piece of firefighting history, and the Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades is eager to bring it back to its hometown.
The Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades
The Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades is a small non-profit organization that has been operating for 30 years. The organization is dedicated to preserving the history of firefighting in Wilmot Township and features a museum in Baden that showcases hundreds of pieces of old firefighting memorabilia. The museum’s collection includes helmets, extinguishers, badges, and uniforms, as well as several old hand-drawn fire pumpers from the 1920s, fire trucks from the 1940s, and yellow fire trucks from the 1970s and 1980s. The organization is run by a team of dedicated volunteers, including President Peter Gingerich, who is leading the effort to bring the 1948 Ford F155 Bickle Seagrave fire truck back to Wilmot Township.
The Fundraising Efforts
To bring the fire truck back to Wilmot Township, the Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades has launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the truck’s return. As of November 30, over $4,000 has been raised, including private donations. The organization is grateful for the support of the community and is hopeful that it can reach its fundraising goal. The funds raised will be used to transport the truck from Alberta to Wilmot Township, where it will be restored to its original condition and made roadworthy. The truck will then be put on display at the museum, where it will be enjoyed by visitors for years to come.
The Future of the Fire Truck
Once the fire truck is back in Wilmot Township, it will be put into storage until it can be restored to its original condition. The Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades plans to make the truck roadworthy, so it can be used in future events and exhibits. The organization hopes to have the truck restored and on display at the museum in the near future, where it will serve as a reminder of the rich history of firefighting in Wilmot Township. The return of the 1948 Ford F155 Bickle Seagrave fire truck is an exciting project that will help to preserve the history of firefighting in the community and provide a unique exhibit for visitors to enjoy.
