This stunning piece of firefighting apparatus was built in 1900 by the American Fire Engine Co. of Seneca Falls, NY, and was first used by the New Rochelle, NY, Fire Department. Able to pump 600 gallons of water per minute, its systems were coal-fired, its "plumbing" complicated, and the platform heavily constructed -- requiring a well-trained team of strong horses to pull it, and several men to operate it. After its second commission by the Palmerton, PA, Fire Department, it was acquired by Mr. Hyde Ballard. With the encouragement of Bud Lauridsen and Bill Kidder, Mr. Ballard gave the steam pumper to the Society in 1979, and it was restored to working order in Bud's garage. In 1987, it was loaned to the Franklin, NH, Fire Apparatus Museum. It now resides in the firefighting corner of the Transportation Building, along with related pieces of equipment and clothing.

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