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Firefighting in Civil War Alexandria Walking Tour

Title:Firefighting in Civil War Alexandria Walking Tour
Date & Time:Sat Oct 24, 2015 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location:Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S. Alfred St. (Map This)
Event Details:When Virginia joined the Confederacy, Union troops occupied Alexandria and most municipal functions were assumed by the U.S. Army. The “We’ve Been Burned: Alexandria Firefighters During the Civil War” walking tour will explore firefighting during the Union occupation. Were firefighters allowed out after curfew? What happened to the firehouses and equipment? These questions will be answered as tour participants visit the sites of four of the five fire houses, and learn what happened if there was a fire.

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

Today the Friendship Firehouse, built in 1855, is a museum open to the public. Buckets, hose, axes, Friendship’s mid-19th century suction engine – elaborately decorated with the company’s clasped-hands insignia - are on view. Visitors also see the company’s ornate hose reel carriage that was made in Alexandria, and learn how the organization played a larger role in the community. In addition to fighting fires, Friendship members participated in parades and performed ceremonial duties for civic events. In the firehouse Meeting Room ceremonial artifacts such as helmets, capes and other regalia, are exhibited alongside the room’s original furniture.

Friendship Firehouse Museum is located at 107 South Alfred Street in Old Town, Alexandria. The site is open from 1-4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays; closed on major holidays. The museum is owned and operated by the City of Alexandria, and managed by the City’s Office of Historic Alexandria. Special programming is offered throughout the year. For more information see www.friendshipfirehouse.net.; or contact the museum by calling 703.746.3891.
Links:
Contact Phone No.:703.746.4994
Fees:For age 10 and older. $6 for adults, $4 ages 10-17. Reservations are required, as space is limited.
Audience:Anyone may attend
Tags:Museums, Old & Historic Alexandria, Old Town


For event details visit http://www.alexandriava.gov/c/11464
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