The North Dakota Firefighter’s Museum and Hall of Fame is modest in size but immense in meaning, serving as the state’s central hub for preserving the history of fire service and honoring those who risk their lives for their communities, according to the Garrison Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Rachael Brown, director of the Garrison Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the museum’s mission remains steady. She said it is “to preserve and present the history, traditions and heritage of firefighting, firefighters and the fire service within the great state of North Dakota.”

The museum’s exhibits include antique fire trucks, old gear and uniforms, photographs, documents and community-donated memorabilia.

Brown said one of her favorite displays is the 1929 Waterous fire truck donated by the Butte Fire Department, which sits near her desk.

Rachael Brown

“Truly, it is all significant,” she said. “Every box of donations — old photos, letters, NDFA agendas — brings new pieces of history to light.”

Each October, the museum becomes the site of the annual Hall of Fame induction and remembrance ceremony. This year’s event will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, beginning with an open house at 4:30 p.m., a Fallen Firefighter’s Remembrance at 5 p.m., followed by a banquet and induction ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Garrison Fire Department, according to the museum’s news release.

The 2025 Hall of Fame class includes four firefighters from across the state whose careers reflect decades of leadership and dedication, according to museum information.

Anton Frank “Tony” Putschler of Dickinson and Gladstone served from 1928 to 1969. He was a fire chief and longtime leader in the North Dakota Firefighter’s Association as well as national fire service organizations.

Byron Fiedler of Mercer has been active since 1978 and has served as a training officer, secretary and fire crew team lead.

Donald “Don” Heiser of Billings County served from 1985 to 2016, holding positions as fire chief, deputy chief and fire board director.

Marlo Byberg of New Rockford served from 1975 to 2015 and worked as a fire chief and training coordinator, helping train future volunteers.

Brown said the Hall of Fame plays a vital role in keeping the state’s firefighting heritage alive. “All donations displayed here are from local firefighters and departments,” she said. “That makes the stories personal, and it ensures our communities feel connected to the museum.”

The museum’s outreach extends beyond preserving artifacts. Brown said part of its operating expenses are supported by fire departments that sign up for annual memberships. In return, those departments receive the NDFM Journal, a newsletter that goes out two or three times a year with updates from museum leadership and stories about departments across the state. “Part of our work is keeping fire departments connected to each other and to their shared history,” she said.

Recent updates at the museum include a mural added to the south wall of the building and Fallen Firefighters Memorial in 2024, as well as refinished original floors in the stairwell and second story this past summer.

Brown said space is one of the museum’s biggest challenges. “We are always on the lookout for more display cases,” she said. “I hope one day to showcase everything we have — and I already have ideas.”

Beyond its mission of preserving firefighting history, the museum is deeply woven into the local community. Each year, it serves as the ticketing center for Garrison’s Dickens Village Festival, bringing visitors through the doors during the busy holiday season. The museum works with other local historical attractions to boost tourism.

The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with weekend visits available by appointment. Admission is free, making it accessible to families, schools and visitors statewide, according to Lewis and Clark Regional Tourism information.

For Garrison, hosting the North Dakota Firefighter’s Museum is both an honor and a reminder of the resilience behind every volunteer firefighter.

“The stories I hear from firefighters about transforming this building from an abandoned bakery into a museum are incredible,” Brown said. “It took about 26 truckloads to clear it, some tossed right out of the second-floor windows. That kind of grit and determination is what built this place, and what keeps it alive today.”