The Black Springs Volunteer Fire Department in North Valleys has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Originally built in 1970, it served as the only volunteer fire department in the predominantly black neighborhood of Black Springs until the mid 1980s, because Washoe County emergency services would not cover the area at the time.
The firehouse is now a museum, and gaining national recognition allows it to have tax incentives, more access to federal grant money, as well many other benefits.
"It allows us to be more visual, it allows us to get our message across about what we are trying to do as far as preserving history for the area out here. And we promote firefighting and other programs within the community for kids," said Noah Levingston, operator for the Northern Nevada African American Firefighter Museum.
Levingston also says the museum serves as a symbol of resilience for African Americans, as the community worked hard to get resources such as power, water, sewage, and eventually access to Washoe County emergency services for assistance in fighting fires.
The museum has lots of old fire gear, newspaper articles, as well pictures of some of the first African American firefighters in Washoe County.
If you would like to visit the Black Springs Volunteer Firehouse, you can go in person on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or you can call (775) 357-8005 to schedule a tour.
