Our History

The Northern Nevada African American Firefighter Museum (NNAAFM) was founded by Our Story, Inc. (OSI) in January 2022.

Our Story, Inc. is a non-profit that shares, seeks out, collects and exhibits the contributions, culture, heritage and accomplishments of people who are not well represented in Northern Nevada's public image.

The idea of the Black Springs Volunteer Fire Department building being used as a museum that honors the community that built it and the volunteer firemen that served out of it was first presented to the Commissioner Jeanne Hermon and the Washoe County Board on January 5, 2021 by Kenneth B Dalton and Our Story, Inc.

Washoe County, after researching how this building came to be, realized the rich history that had been lost and agreed to lease the building to Our Story, Inc. on January 5, 2022, for use as a museum and providing OSI access to the adjacent Westbrook Community Center & Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. Soon after signing the lease and acquiring the key, Our Story, Inc. with the generous and dedicated help of volunteers and donors, began the work of making this modest building into the first African American Firefighter museum in Northern Nevada.

The NNAAFM soft opening was February 26, 2022. It was a day of the public coming together in the spirit in which the firehouse was initially built. A spirit of solidarity. People from all walks of life were there to support and be appreciated by OSI. Among those who attended were representatives from the Washoe County Commissioners, Washoe County Parks, Truckee Meadows Fire, Reno Fire and Black Springs residents, past & present.

The NNAAFM grand opening was on April 26, 2022, and was a great time of vintage fire engines, community support, and firemen brotherhood, Both events were a success and OSI is eternally thankful for the support shown from the Northern Nevada Community. Among those who attended were folks from the Washoe County Commissioners, Washoe County Parks, Truckee Meadows Fire, Reno Fire, Firematic Collectors of Northern Nevada, Reno Fire Antique and Classic Apparatus, Inc. and Black Springs residents past & present.

Through out 2022 and into 2023 the NNAAFM hosted a variety of events along with an array of visiting groups, families, classes and individuals. We also added to our displays, artifacts and community outreach.

On April 29, 2023 NNAAFM had its First Annual Day. We were thankful to again have vintage fire engines, community support, and firemen brotherhood.  Among those who attended were folks from the Washoe County Commissioners, Washoe County Parks, Truckee Meadows Fire, Reno Fire, Firematic Collectors of Northern Nevada, Reno Fire Antique and Classic Apparatus, Inc., supporters and Black Springs residents past & present.

Through out 2023 and into 2024 the NNAAFM again hosted a variety of events along with an array of visiting groups, families, classes and individuals. We also added more displays, artifacts, community outreach and a water truck.

Our Focus