ROCHELLE – In 1924 when the fire alarm sounded it was Ol’ Gertie that responded. The majority of the firemen may have been volunteers but Ol’ Gertie got them where they needed to be to put out the fire and keep Rochelle safe. Purchased in 1924, Ol’ Gertie is still around and as part of today’s fire department’s year-long 100^th birthday celebration for Gertie, the museum is holding Gertie Day on June 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Old photos will be on display in the museum and in addition to Gertie, and a modern fire truck will be at the museum in the parking lot east of the museum as a way to compare just how much things have changed in 100 years. Come to the museum on June 22 to find out more, to play a game or two – water might be involved – and enjoy birthday cake, the museum’s way of saying “Happy 100^th Birthday, Ol’ Gertie”!  

The mission of the Flagg Township Historical Society and Museum is to stimulate interest in Flagg Township history through education, research, collection and preservation of information for the benefit of the public of today and in the future.