A local resident’s dream is coming true and he invites everyone to come celebrate this weekend.
Brian Eiteman has been working on the idea of opening the Iowa Fire Museum and Fire Prevention Education Center in Perry essentially since he was a kid.
“It’s a lifelong goal. Ever since I can remember I’ve been around the fire department, I played hide and go seek in the firetrucks. I don’t know any of the little children that I teach fire prevention to that don’t want to be firemen when they grow up. So it’s kind of the kid in me that still likes to play with the firetrucks. I’m trying to express that and show people what it’s like and maybe they’ll get excited about it a little bit too, and know what we go through every day.”
Saturday it all becomes a reality with a grand opening.
Eiteman says the mission is to preserve and protect the histories and stories of small town fire departments in the state of Iowa. The museum, located downtown Perry at 1122 2nd Street, houses fire equipment and uniforms, historic photos and memorabilia.
Saturday’s open house starts at 9am. There will be an antique fire truck vehicle show, water fights with the local firefighters and a ribbon cutting at 10am.