The Agawam Historical & Fire House Museum will reopen on Memorial Day, 2025, after being closed since 2020.
The association’s archive committee has reorganized the association’s collection of historic artifacts and developed new exhibits that will debut on Memorial Day, and include a pair of 1855 wall maps issued before and after the incorporation of Agawam; original documents pertaining to the incorporation of Agawam; 18th century town meeting warrants and tax lists; Aviation in Agawam; the Agawam woolen mill; Agawam Gin; and the athletic exploits of Agawam residents Harlan Atwood and Leonard “Buddy” Johnson.
The Agawam Historical & Fire House Museum is located in the former Elm Street Fire Station, in the heart of the Agawam Center National Register Historic District. The museum first opened in 2002 and is operated by the Agawam Historical Association.
The first floor of the museum houses the association’s collection of Agawam Fire Department and firefighting memorabilia, including a fire truck owned by the town since it was purchased new in 1930. The apparatus bay was named in honor of former APD chief and AHA board member Rusty Jenks, who was instrumental in establishing the museum in the former Elm Street Station.
The second floor of the museum houses the association’s archives and collection of historic documents and artifacts and will be dedicated in honor of the late town historian and historical association president as the Marilyn P. Curry History Room.
The Agawam Historical Association wishes to thank the following organizations for their generous sponsorship of the following exhibits:
Budget Blinds of Longmeadow - Chief Russell “Rusty” Jenks Apparatus Bay
bankESB - Aviation in Agawam
Susan and Chris Mastroianni Foundation - M. Chmielewski Shoe Repair Service Collection
Spotlight Graphics - Leonard “Buddy” Johnson AHS Sports Collection
Agawam Police Association - History of the Agawam Historical Association
Freedom Credit Union - Agawam Woolen Mill
Geissler’s Supermarket - C.W. Hastings General Store
GFWC Agawam Junior Women’s Club - H. Porter Distillery/Agawam Gin
Other exhibits include Calla Shasta, Native Americans in Agawam, Tobacco Growing & Cigar Making, display of Agawam & Feeding Hills postcards, collection of 18th and 19th century documents including original documents pertaining to the 1855 incorporation of Agawam, and a display of maps from 1795 - 1912, including original 1855 wall maps dating from town’s incorporation, and much more!
The historical association’s new Images of America title, Around Agawam and Feeding Hills will be available for purchase and author David Cecchi will be on hand to sign copies. The book features more than 200 historic photos depicting Agawam and Feeding Hills’ rich history. Proceeds from the sales of the book will benefit the Agawam Historical Association.
Admission to the museum is free.