The Warrensburgh Museum of Local History is preparing its major summer/fall 2014 exhibit, opening Sunday, June 29, at 1 PM with a reception, and will remain through Columbus Day.  The exhibit tells the stories of the Warrensburg Volunteer Fire Company, Warrensburg Emergency Medical Service, and local policing efforts, including the role Warrensburg citizens played as Warren County sheriffs.

Since Warrensburg’s early settlement in the late 18th century, as in any frontier community, the safety and protection of its settlers was a concern but little could be done about it.  Destructive fires, whether of home, barn or commercial building, were all too common.  With illnesses and accidents, availability and distances to doctors meant that home remedies were heavily relied upon.  And self-protection was the order of the day when it came to criminal activity.

As the population grew during the nineteenth century more doctors moved to town. A county sheriff’s department was created. Distance and slow transportation limited their effectiveness.  Effective fire protection was very slow to develop.  More than one hundred years passed before Warrensburg created, and financed, an organization that was chartered to respond to the call of “FIRE!”

The exhibit was developed by the Warrensburgh Historical Society, with the support of the Warrensburg Fire Company, Warrensburg EMS and the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, plus resources of the Warrensburgh Museum and Historical Society collections.

The Museum, located at 3754 Main Street (VFW Building), is operated by the Warrensburgh Historical Society for the Town of Warrensburg.  Parking and entrance are at the rear of the building. Admission is always free.  The museum is fully accessible.  Hours are Wednesdays, noon to 4 pm, Saturdays 11 am to 3 pm, and Sundays 1 to 3 pm.

Visit the Society’s website at www.whs12885.org or call 623-2207 for more information.