When a Dalmatian puppy first came to the FASNY Museum of Firefighting in Hudson in 2017, the staff called it fate. When they saw the smiles that she brought to people’s faces, they knew they had found a mascot for the museum. And now Molly has won first place in the Chronogram Readers’ Choice Awards for Local Celebrity.
Established in 1925, the FASNY Museum of Firefighting’s mission is to preserve the history of firefighting. Its collection holds 20,000 firefighting artifacts, including an early model of a firetruck from 1731. Molly herself is a symbol of that history—she was named after the first Black female firefighter in the US, Molly Williams, who joined the Oceanus Engine Company #11 in Manhattan in 1815.
“When you look at firefighting, it’s a long lineage of tradition, and community, and helping one another. To have a Dalmatian at a fire museum is really exciting,” says FASNY brand manager Sarah Nolan. “Molly exudes joy and fun.”
Historically, Dalmatians were integral to the firefighting force. During the age of horse-drawn fire vehicles, Dalmatians found a natural affinity with horses. Horses are skittish around fire, but the dogs would put them at ease. They acted as sirens, barking to clear the streets in an emergency.
Today, Dalmatians represent the impenetrable bond between the dogs and firefighters. Bravery is in Dalmatians’ blood. They acted as guard dogs against theft and rescued people from burning buildings throughout history.
In the fire museum, Molly is a beloved member of the team. Her most prominent role is giving people a reason to smile and laugh. She became a certified therapy dog so that she could both aid and educate the community. She often visits the nearby FASNY Firefighter’s Home, giving the retired firefighters a pick-me-up full of snuggles and kisses.
Although Molly’s on the quieter side, she never shies away from the attention she gets. Her tail spins in circles the second she’s in a crowd. “She’s our resident dalmatian, but she’s also our resident diva,” says Nolan.
