Millis Historical Commission
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PictureNiagara Engine House built 1878
Niagara Engine House: The "Niagara Fire Engine Company No. 4" was formed April 28, 1857 in East Medway, Massachusetts. Their original Constitution was adopted in May of 1857 and they purchased their engine in August of 1857. Hunneman and Company of Roxbury constructed the handtub fire engine known as Niagara No. 4. It was Hunneman Serial Number 601 and, according to the factory records, it was delivered to the Town of Medway on August 27, 1857. It is a 4-inch diameter, two cylindar model. The engine was originally housed in garages belonging to the Holbrook family associated with their Bell and Organ facories at the corner of Auburn and Main Streets. The Town of Medway paid rent to the Holbrooks until 1879, when the Town constructed the firehouse on Plain Street as a permanent home for the handtub.
According to the Medway Town Report for the year ending February 1, 1878, the building was constructed by Elijah Partridge for $675. The building originally had a single entrance and included a tower for hanging hoses to dry after use. When the Town of Millis was incorporated in 1885 the engine and engine house were purchased from Medway and renamed "Niagara No. 1" to continue its tradition of fire protection.
According to popular legend, Charles LaCroix, a local artist with studios in Boston, brought an artist named George Story to Millis to paint murals on the walls and ceiling of the second floor of the Niagara engine house. These murals are a unique feature of the engine house and worthy of protection. Recently murals have been discovered lying hidden below layers of paint on the sidewalls of the room, and a movement is afoot to uncover and restore them for future generations to enjoy.

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Niagara Hand Tub built 1857
PictureNiagara Hall before restoration

Dear Citizens,
As the restoration of the downstairs (engine room) where the original Fire Wagons are stored, we are collecting any historical items that we can display in the intended museum. If you have an type of artifact, photo, story or any contribution relating to the Niagara Fire House, the Millis Historical Commission would like to display the Item in the museum or place it on temporary loan, Also if you have any photograph’s related to Niagara we would love to see them and can scan them if a donation is not possible. Items are being collected now with the anticipated opening of Niagara in the fall of 2014

Thank you,

Millis Historical Commission
Preserving our History

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Niagara Hall getting a fresh coat of paint
PictureNiagara Hall during restoration






  



















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side entrance with new porch
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Left to Right: Charlie Vecchi, Mark Slayton, Nate Maltinsky, Jeff Hardin at Sturbridge Village for "Fire and Ice" July, 2008
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Niagara Hal with finished outside restoration
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