Trailblazer

The September 11 terrorist attacks were a reminder that firefighters are ferociously brave men and women who inspire awe and deserve gratitude and admiration. The Friendship Firehouse museum in Alexandria gives visitors, especially children, a new understanding of firefighters and their rich history. Through the exhibits, discussions and interactive activities, children can see, touch and experience Colonial firefighting and gain a healthy respect for the power and danger of fires.

Located in Old Town Alexandria, Friendship is the city’s oldest fire station and housed the first volunteer fire company in Alexandria, founded in 1774. The current structure was built in 1855, remodeled in 1871 and restored in 1992. The rooms of the museum are typical of fire stations built during the 19th century: The buildings often were elaborately furnished, with Victorian ornamentation and displays of photos and objects celebrating the firefighter.

Children will be drawn to the first-floor engine room, where they can see buckets, axes and other firefighting equipment used in the past. Michael Carter, museum aide at the fire station, leads children through the exhibits, answering questions and providing details.

“I walk them through fire safety, as it is today, and in the 1770s,” he explains.

In this main room, children can imagine firefighting in Colonial times as they get a glimpse of actual fire engines, hand pumps and hoses used during the 1800s. They will see the trumpet used to call out commands to the firefighters, a fireman’s helmet, and the fire extinguishers and glass fire grenades used to try to stop the spread of flames.

Mr. Carter lets children experience firefighting firsthand during the “Citizen Firefighters in Colonial Alexandria” program. During this activity, they learn how the tools and technology firefighters use has changed dramatically over the years. Mr. Carter says he also wants the children to understand the dangers of fire and how fires should be handled in today’s world.

“I want them to understand what happens today if a fire occurs in their home and what they need to do,” Mr. Carter says. “I also want them to understand how different things were in the 1700s.”

Role playing and seeing the techniques of the night watchman, fire company commander and bucket brigade help younger ones understand the different responsibilities the volunteer fireman had. Mr. Carter shows the children the rattler the night watchman used to alert the volunteers. When they heard the rattler, the firemen would run and ring the bell at the station and the commander would grab the trumpet.

“I have people playing these different roles — and I have to let everyone ring the bell,” he says. “I even have adults that ask to ring the bell.”

In those times, the water used to extinguish the roaring blazes had to be emptied into a chamber by bucket brigades. Children line up side by side to form a bucket brigade and to race to dump the buckets of water into the rotary engine, also known as the coffee-grinder engine.

“They love doing the bucket brigade,” Mr. Carter says.

Mr. Carter adds that most of the children are surprised by how much work went into putting out a fire. Everyone who visits the museum comments on how labor-intensive and inefficient firefighting techniques were during that era, he says.

“One of the comments everyone makes is — ’Wow, it’s a lot easier today,’” he says. “People also realize how much greater the danger of fire was back then” because of the inefficient technology used to combat it.

For example, the rotary engine on display at the museum had to be cranked by two pairs of men to generate a steady stream of water. Even more amazing is the double-decker suction hand pump, purchased in 1851, which required 16 to 20 men to operate it. Every two or three minutes, the engine operators would need replacements, requiring more volunteers as backups.

After looking at all of the equipment, children can venture upstairs to the second-floor meeting room. The room is furnished the way it was during the late 19th century, the real heyday of Friendship as a community organization. It contains the actual table where company officers held their meetings. Various impressive ceremonial objects, such as parade uniforms, capes, banners and other regalia also are on display.

Visitors are reminded of the firehouse’s association with George Washington by the portrait of the president displayed proudly on the wall. There are many rumors surrounding Washington’s link to the fire station. Mr. Carter says one of the most popular stories is that Washington was in Alexandria in 1787 for an election. When a fire broke out on King and Royal streets the following week, Washington jumped off his horse and helped man the engine.

“We know that George Washington was in town, probably when the fire was fought,” Mr. Carter explains. “But as of 1857, there is no official link.” The association with Washington, though based on stories and speculation, has done much to define the museum and advance its goals.

“If not for the association with George Washington, all of this wouldn’t be here,” Mr. Carter says.

WHEN YOU GO

Location: The Friendship Firehouse Museum is located at 107 S. Alfred St. in Alexandria.

Directions:

• From the District, take the George Washington Parkway south, past Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and into Alexandria. The parkway becomes Washington Street in Alexandria. Turn right on King Street and left on South Alfred Street. The museum is on your right.

• From the Beltway, take the U.S. Route 1 north exit (the first exit on the Virginia side of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge). Follow Route 1 (Patrick Street) about one mile. Turn right on Prince Street; turn left on South Alfred Street. The museum is on your left.

• By Metro, take the Yellow or Blue line to the King Street station. Walk east on King Street about seven blocks to South Alfred Street. Turn right, and the museum will be on your right.

Hours: The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Monday through Thursday and on Christmas and New Year’s days.

Admission: Free.

Information: 703/838-3891.