Built in the heart of a booming shopping Mecca close to the Charleston International Airport, the North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire Museum and Educational Center houses the largest collection of fully restored American LaFrance fire appartus in the county. Doors to this fire truck wonderland opened in April, 2007. Enthusiasts and casual observers alike can learn about the history of fire fighting and marvel at the evolution of a most useful invention. This is a place where families can come to learn. The collection of nineteen antique fire trucks includes a hand operated fire pump and two horse-drawn steam engines. Other exhibits range from a cinema with a talking robot and a film depicting the history of fire fighting to the home hazards interactive exhibit and the Great Escape exhibit.