Islip officials are supporting the creation of a new firefighters museum in Central Islip that would honor those who have served in the 21 fire departments across the town.
Newsday reported that the five-member board voted unanimously to sign a 49-year lease for a one-acre plot on Courthouse Drive near Bethpage Ballpark with a nonprofit group based in Holbrook that plans to build the museum.
The museum will honor men and women of the fire services with a display of vintage items from the town's fire departments. Edward Tully Jr., president of the firefighters group, said the nonprofit has raised $500,000 towards the project.
The firefighters group plans to sign the lease with town officials in April, paying $1 in annual rent, but there is no timeline to begin construction of the museum. The plans call for the building to initially be 100 feet by 75 feet, with the option to add additional space in the future.
Similar firefighter museums on Long Island include the Nassau County Volunteer Firefighter Museum & Education Center in Garden City and the Brookhaven Volunteer Firefighters Museum in Ridge.
