Friendship Firehouse Museum

Here follows the inscription written on a roadside historical marker located here:

The Friendship Fire Company, established in 1774, was the first fire company in Alexandria. Company members were volunteers — townspeople motivated by their concern for the property and well-being of the company.

The Friendship Firehouse was constructed in 1855 and substantially remodeled in 1871. The Friendship Fire Company fought fires until the late 1870s. Early in the 20th century, the membership formed the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association and it continues as a public service organization.

After restoration, Friendship Firehouse opened as a City museum in 1993. Inside, the company's mid-19th century suction engine and locally made hose reel are on view. Visitors can also see ceremonial artifacts and learn the history of Friendship's participation in community events.


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Here follows an excerpt from the Clio Foundation website about the Friendship Firehouse Museum as written by Amanda Shaver:

Introduction
The Friendship Fire Company was the first volunteer fire-fighting company in Alexandria, VA, and the Friendship Firehouse Museum is dedicated to preserving its memory. The Museum also houses historical fire-fighting equipment and memorabilia, including a 19th century suction engine and hose carriage.

Backstory and Context
The Friendship Fire Company was the first volunteer fire-fighting company organized in Alexandria, VA, in 1774, and counted George Washington among its founding members. In 1775, Washington purchased one of the first engines for the Fire Company and had it shipped from Philadelphia to Alexandria by ox cart. The Company moved to the current building in 1855. The building has undergone multiple renovations, the first of which occurred in 1871. In 1992, the City of Alexandria further restored the building, and in 2009, restoration of the cupola was completed.

The Friendship Firehouse Museum now occupies the building and is dedicated to preserving the building and exhibits, and educating the community. Open from 1:00 to 4:00 Saturday and Sunday, the museum contains examples of early fire-fighting equipment. The Engine Room houses fire engines, leather water buckets, locally-made hoses, axes, and other fire-fighting gear. It houses information and exhibits on the development of fire-fighting technology over time, as well as displays about other historic fire companies in Alexandria. The Meeting Room on the second floor has been decorated in the late 19th century style, when the Friendship Fire Company was in its prime. This includes original furniture, as well as uniforms and banners used by the Company.

The museum also displays a suction engine built in Baltimore and purchased by the Friendship Fire Company in 1851. This engine is highly ornamented and includes a set of clasped hands, the symbol of the Fire Company. The suction engine was a labor-intensive machine and required between sixteen and twenty men to operate. A locally-made hose carriage used by the Fire Company is on display, as well. Before the installation of city-wide water pipes, water was drawn from nearby wells and rivers in order to extinguish fires. The carriage was necessary to transport the long lengths of hoses needed for this method of fire-fighting.