By James Cullum
alexandrianews.org
Friendship Firehouse celebrated its 235th birthday on August 1, 2009. (Photo: Regan Kireilis)
The Friendship Fire Company was commemorated today for reaching its 235th anniversary. The brave generations of firefighters from the Friendship Firehouse at 107 Alfred Street were celebrated with cake, vendors, the Firehouse Museum and free little red plastic fire helmets with white strings.
Caleb and Joshua Wolf, 3, play atop of an antique fire engine. (Photo: Regan Kirielis)
“We came last year, too, and we really liked it, so we came back,” said Alexandrian Katie Wolf, who came with her husband and two sons.
Founded as the City’s first firefighting organization in 1774, the Friendship Fire Fire Company has called the building home since 1855. George Washington was said to have been a founding member of the company and may have donated money to buy its first fire engine. Today’s anniversary was also marked by the unveiling of a completely restored cupola on the dome of the firehouse.
“Hopefully the cupola lasts another 235 years,” said Lance Mallamo, director of the Office of Historic Alexandria.
A boy plays the "Put the Fire Out" game at the Friendship Firehouse birthday celebration. (Photo: Regan Kireilis)
Inside the firehouse sits an 1851 John Rogers fire engine with push-cart water pumps. It required between 16 and 20 firefighters to work properly. And despite the technological differences in the field of fire extinguishing, “We still put out fires the same way…with water,” said Alexandria firefighter Wells Wilson.”But it certainly makes you appreciate the modern conveniences of our current apparatus, but it also allows you to reflect on the men that had to use this thing in the past.”
Sarah Binette, 3, enjoys a snow cone beside her dad, John. (Photo: Regan Kireilis)
The name Friendship Fire Company is a common one across East Coast, said Mike Carter, museum historian and weekend manager. “After the London fire in 1666, insurance companies started fire fighting companies for the buildings they insured. One of the insurance company signs had a handshake with the crown above it. When we got rid of the crown over here, we were left with a handshake,” Carter said.