Some posts may contain affiliate links which means our team could earn money if you purchase products from our site.
NYC Fire Museum in Crisis After Neighboring Disney HQ Construction Causes Nearly $6M in Damage
A beloved piece of New York City history is in jeopardy, and the cause, according to city officials, isn’t fairy dust—it’s construction work next door. The New York Post reports that the New York City Fire Museum, housed in a historic 120-year-old firehouse on Spring Street, has been closed to the public for nearly a year after suffering almost $6 million in structural damage tied to the construction of Disney’s new headquarters in Hudson Square.
Related: Comedian Jeff Dunham and Family Visit Walt Disney World
The damage didn’t come from Disney itself, though. In a legal filing made by the city, blame is placed squarely on Hudson Square Realty, along with construction firms Skanska Inc. and Lendlease US Construction Inc. The city alleges their work caused “excessive vibrations” that led to the evacuation and closure of the museum, which is housed in a former Engine Co. 30 firehouse and has served as a public institution since 1987.
The museum’s executive director, Patti Murphy, recalled the harrowing day in May 2024 when staff preparing to host a children’s birthday party called her in a panic. They reported loud banging, shaking walls, and a softening floor. Within hours, the building was evacuated, and the museum was forced to shut its doors to visitors indefinitely.
Now, nearly a year later, the damage has not only shaken the structure—it’s threatened the museum’s very future. The museum took in just $571,000 in revenue in fiscal year 2023–2024, well below its target of over $772,000. Murphy says the closure has left the small nonprofit in crisis, and a public fundraising campaign is expected to launch in the coming weeks.
“We need immediate support,” said Murphy. “We’re a very small nonprofit, and our operations are pretty much in a dire position because we’ve been closed so long.”
Although the building is now considered “structurally sound,” access remains restricted. Only a limited number of staff are allowed inside, and the public remains barred while plans for remediation are evaluated. Murphy has been working to protect the museum’s 30,000 artifacts—including a 1901 coal-fired steam engine, antique firefighting gear, and a memorial to the 343 FDNY firefighters lost on 9/11—but says the process is both costly and complex.
Related: Baby Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
The museum had hoped the opening of Disney’s new 1.2 million-square-foot headquarters next door in December 2024 would drive increased foot traffic. Instead, it now finds itself in the shadow of a legal battle. While Disney is not named in the city’s lawsuit, a company spokesperson said Disney has been working with the city to address any potential damage and noted that the filing was “part of the legal process to ensure those conversations can continue.”
For now, the Fire Museum’s future hangs in the balance, dependent on community support and the outcome of ongoing litigation. A cultural institution that has preserved New York’s firefighting legacy for nearly four decades may soon face its toughest battle yet—one to survive.
For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Don't forget to check out the Chip and Company Radio Network too!
Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
Click Here for your FREE No Obligation Quote.
