The Hamilton Fire Department will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Model T Building on Thursday, July 3, at 10 a.m. at the Hamilton Public Safety Complex, Bay Road. The event is open to the public, and residents and area fire fighters are encouraged to attend and be part of this important moment in Hamilton’s history.
The new building will house and prominently display Chemical 1, the town’s first motorized fire apparatus—a 1916 American LaFrance chemical truck mounted on a Ford Model T chassis. This rare and fully restored piece of fire service history will now have a permanent home in the heart of the community.
Fire Chief Ray Brunet said the new structure will both protect the historic vehicle and serve as an educational and inspirational landmark for residents and visitors.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Chief Brunet. “This building is more than a display case of our history—it’s a tribute to the people who work tirelessly to preserve it.”
The building’s construction was made possible thanks to $150,000 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding, supported by the Community Preservation Committee and approved by voters at the 2024 Annual Town Meeting. Designed by local architect Brian Stein of Vance Stein Architects, the structure is inspired by the original firehouse on Willow Street, where Chemical 1 once resided.
The project has deep community roots. Local firefighters will contribute labor, and area contractors are volunteering their skills to minimize costs to taxpayers. Retired firefighter Randy Ayer, who spearheaded Chemical 1’s restoration, has offered personal funds toward the building’s maintenance endowment.
Chemical 1 holds a unique place in North Shore firefighting history. Unlike most antique fire trucks that were converted, Hamilton’s truck retains its original chemical tanks, making it a rare and historically significant artifact. Ayer’s meticulous restoration—using traditional tools and authentic parts—has brought the truck back to life, earning admiration from the department and the broader community.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Time: 10 AM
Location: Hamilton Public Safety Complex, 265 Bay Road
