The Friendship, Sun, Relief, Hydraulion and other local volunteer fire companies served the community, and some of their stories and equipment are preserved today in the Friendship Firehouse Museum. The Engine Room houses fire-fighting equipment, while the Meeting Room displays ceremonial objects used by these community organizations.

The Engine Room on the first floor houses hand-drawn fire engines, leather water buckets, a locally-made hose reel, axes, sections of early rubber hose and other historic fire-fighting equipment. Exhibits explore the development of fire-fighting technology, and other fire companies that have served the citizens of Alexandria. 

A highlight of the Friendship Firehouse collection is the suction engine, or suction pumper, built by John Rodgers of Baltimore and purchased by the Friendship Fire Company in 1851.

• Read more about the suction engine.

Learn more about this piece of equipment from The Friendship Pumper by Kris Lloyd, Antiques in Alexandria 1999.

Suction engines used hose to draw water from a water source such as wells or rivers. Only a few pieces of hose could be carried on a pumper itself, so carriages were made to carry extra hose. Friendship’s hose carriage was made locally in coachmaker, and Friendship member, Robert F. Prettyman’s shop on North Pitt Street. Its two large bells sounded the alarm as it was pulled along Alexandria’s streets. 

• Read more about the Prettyman Hose Carriage.

This machine is an example of early 19th-century firefighting technology but did not fight fires in Alexandria. Its manufacture is attributed to John Cooper of Windsor, Vermont. He and his partners were in business from about 1825 through the mid-1830s. A bucket brigade would fill the engine’s tub with water and two firefighters, one cranking on each side, would operate the engine. 

The second floor Meeting Room is furnished reminiscent of how it was during the late 19th century, the real heyday of Friendship as a community organization. A focal point is the original furniture used by members for their meetings. Various ceremonial objects are exhibited here such as parade uniforms, capes, banners and other regalia. Also, a bust of George Washington in the Meeting Room represents the Friendship Fire Company’s tradition of honoring the nation’s first president.