The African American Firefighter Museum is housed in historic Fire Station No. 30 at 1401 South Central Avenue in Los Angeles. Its collection and mission focus on the history and heritage of African-American firefighters, making the former fire station itself part of the story.
- Location: 1401 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90021.
- Historic setting: Fire Station No. 30 was built in 1913.
- Visiting details: Contact the museum to confirm current access and hours.
The Museum and Its Mission
The museum collects, conserves, and shares the heritage of African-American firefighters through collaboration and education. It officially opened on December 13, 1997, in a fire station with a significant place in Los Angeles history.
Fire Station No. 30 was built in 1913 to serve the Central Avenue community. Between 1924 and 1955, it was one of two segregated fire stations in Los Angeles. The building is a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and is included on the National Register of Historic Places.
The museum recounts the history of Sam Haskins, described by the museum as the first Los Angeles fireman of African descent. Haskins was hired in 1892 and died while responding to a fire in 1895. For background on the hotel’s city, read this guide to Huntington Park.
Location and Getting There
The museum is at 1401 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90021, inside Fire Station No. 30. From Casa Bella Inn- Huntington Park, it is about a 13-minute drive.
The address is also written as 1401 S. Central Avenue. For directions or questions about access, call +1 (213) 744-1730 or email aaffmuseumla@gmail.com. If you are traveling from Huntington Park, plan your route to the South Central Avenue address before setting out.
Check Visiting Hours Before You Go
Contact the museum before your visit to confirm its current hours and access arrangements. The museum’s contact details are +1 (213) 744-1730 and aaffmuseumla@gmail.com; check the official site before you go.
Opening hours
- Tuesday to Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM–5 PM
- Monday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
The Los Angeles Fire Department describes original apparatus-floor tiles, poles, and a kitchen out-building among the features retained by the historic station. These architectural details are part of the site’s history, alongside the museum collection.
Planning a Museum Stop from Huntington Park
Allow time to explore both the historic station and the museum’s material on firefighters’ lives and service. The gallery is on the second floor and contains pictures, artifacts, and memorabilia of African-American firefighters from around the country.
The Los Angeles Fire Department identifies collection highlights that include a 1940 Pirsch ladder truck, an 1890 hose wagon, uniforms, badges, helmets, photographs, and displays about African American women firefighters.
The combination of equipment and personal-history material gives the visit both a station-history and a wider national context. If you are arranging the local part of your trip, this guide to getting around Huntington Park covers the town’s transport context.
FAQs
Where is the African American Firefighter Museum?
It is housed in historic Fire Station No. 30 at 1401 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90021.
What is the museum’s mission?
Its mission is to collect, conserve, and share the heritage of African-American firefighters through collaboration and education.
What can you see at the museum?
The collection includes firefighting equipment, uniforms, photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia, as well as displays about African American women firefighters.
How can you confirm visiting hours?
Open Tuesday to Sunday; closed Monday. Call +1 (213) 744-1730 or email aaffmuseumla@gmail.com to ask about current hours and access before making the trip.