Friendship Firehouse Festival 2021

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Courtesy of City of Alexandria

Friendship Firehouse Museum

Friendship Firehouse Museum

The Friendship Firehouse Festival is back Saturday, August 7 after last year’s hiatus.

Join the Friendship Fire Company on the 100 block of South Alfred Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and celebrate Friendship’s 247th year.

Learn about fire safety today and yesterday and see City firefighting equipment up close. There will be music, displays by community organizations, craft vendors, and food and beverages available. Children will receive free Friendship fire hats. Entry into the historic Friendship Firehouse Museum will be staggered for COVID-19 safety. This family event is presented by the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association.

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 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. Artifacts such as helmets, capes, and other regalia are exhibited in the firehouse Meeting Room.

For more information see www.alexandriava.gov/FriendshipFirehouse and www.friendshipfireco.org.