After the funeral of a fellow Nebraska firefighter, Norman Hoeft (David City), Robert E. Vogltance (West Point) & Arthur “Pooch” Gulzow (Grand Island), began discussing the importance of remembering the incredible service & sacrifices of firefighters from across Nebraska. They developed a grand dream to someday create a special place to honor Nebraska’s firefighters that would preserve the proud history of Nebraska firefighting & serve as a resource for fire prevention education.

Almost 30 years later, after the death of Mr. Gulzow, after two temporary locations, one at Grand Island’s Stuhr Museum & one near the Platte River south of Kearney, & after much time & effort, Mr. Hoeft & Mr. Vogltance were blessed to see their longtime dream become a tangible reality!

In 2008, the city of Kearney approached the Nebraska Firefighters Foundation board members regarding a permanent location for the Nebraska Firefighters Museum & Education Center just west of the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument which spans Interstate 80. It was a perfect place for the facility, as it enhanced the Archway Parkway campus & offered fantastic visibility to I-80 travelers!

By August 2009, BD Construction of Kearney had completed building a beautiful new facility outfitted with professional Gallery displays designed by Hartman Historical Services of Omaha. The hose-cutting ceremony & open house for the facility was held on August 15, 2009 at 10:56AM, and Phase 1 of our campus construction was completed!