Fire Museum donations to fund improvements

The Fire Museum of Maryland has received two anonymous donations totaling $185,000 that will help fund building improvements and pay for staff retention and utilities. A gift of $160,000 was left in the will of a longtime supporter, and interest from that gift will be used to help cover operating expenses and pay for visits by school groups, according to museum representative Rob Williams. A gift of $25,000 will be used to cover rising utility costs and other expenses, he said. The money comes just as public funding for history museums has been cut back due to the recession. Located at 1301York Road in Lutherville, the fire museum was established in 1971 and has grown to contain one of country's largest collections of fire engines and related equipment.

- Edward Gunts