How many groups ever light their caboose and passenger car stoves, or oil lamps, either in cars, or as markers or on switches. Or possibly coal fired forges in buildings or outside in the yard. All include fire and flame, and may be cause for concern among museum types (I be one) or local fire authorities. The concern can be either appropriate or reactionary (“Oh my God, do you know that lit candles are on fire!â€

I'f I may presume to give you some advice:
Don't fool around, with fire inspectors and laymen.
I was a fire marshal for 17 years and I'd strongly advise that you get yourself a fire protection engineer.
There are too many people in the fire service that have knee jerk reactions and get carried away by supposed hazards.
A good FPE can give you good sound advice and in many cases save your operation a lot of money (and keep you in good with the authorities).
Like all professions, some are better than others, so check on the people you're going to deal with.
The "Society of Fire Protection Engineers" has a web site at :
www.sfpe.org
You can find people through them.
Over the years, I've seen a lot of dollars wasted because of bad or just incompitent advice.

Living within a day's drive, my wife and I are repeat visitors to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. They use candles and active fireplaces on a regular basis as part of their interpretation. They also maintain working fireplaces in guest rooms. I cannot offer you any contact information at Williamsburg, but perhaps a call to their program office or community relations will get you started.

Colonial Williamsburg link

Wesley

Randy,

I too was going to suggest Colonial Williamsburg. Being 18th century, fires were a daily part of life.

I know that they have a person in the room any time candles are going.

Ardenwood Farm is a very special place with all of that original furnishing from the family on diplay. A great Victorian visit beyond the trains and horses.

Ted Miles