Historic Hose-Reel Carriage Returns to Friendship Firehouse Museum After Two-Year Restoration
ALEXANDRIA, VA–On Sat. April, 30, the Friendship Firehouse Museum unveiled the newly refurbished historic hose-reel carriage. Built in Alexandria in the North Pitt Street shop of coach maker and Friendship Firehouse member Robert F. Prettyman, and purchased by the Firehouse in 1858, the hose-reel carriage was state of the art technology in its time, providing firefighters a steady, strong stream of water to do their jobs effectively.
It is no surprise, though, that nearly 200 years later, the hose-reel carriage was in need of conservation treatment. Paint was flaking off, wheel spokes needed patching, the original condition of the piece was basically deteriorated.
As Conservator Josiah Wagner detailed his conservation process, he stated, “The work of a conservator is to preserve original material rather than restoring the appearance.” However, there was so little left of the original piece that was preservable, Wagner decided to invoke a more extensive restoration process, documenting the history of the piece as he went along.
For two years, the carriage had been off-site for restoration, which was made possible thanks to support from the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association, Custom Fire Apparatus, Simpson Development Corp., Virginia Association of Museums Top 10 Endangered Artifact Program, the Historic Alexandria Foundation, Donald F. Simpson, Sr., Jeanne Jacob & Gerry Frank, Marion Moon, David P. Baker, Joe Shumard, Spring2Action Alexandria, and community donors.
“Everyone in the community has a share of the success,” stated Tim winkle, Vice President of Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association.
When the hose-reel carriage was unveiled this past weekend, dozens gathered at the Friendship Firehouse to witness its return, including Mayor Justin Wilson, Vice mayor Amy Jackson, members of City Council, and Alexandria Fire Chief Corey Smedley.
Some of the hose-reel carriage details include stained glass from 1774, portraits of Benjamin Thomas, Friendship Firehouse Company President, and James Keene, Friendship Firehouse Company member. To the City’s knowledge, this unique carriage is the only one of its kind in existence!
Also on display were buckets, hose, axes, and Friendship Firehouse’s mid-19th century suction engine – elaborately decorated with the company’s clasped-hands insignia.
Restoration projects like this one are important in not only preserving, but also reviving the history of Alexandria. They bring the foundational layers of the city to the surface, and ensure they stay there for posterity.
The Friendship Firehouse hose-reel carriage helped to preserve 19th century Alexandria by putting out fires. Today, it helps to preserve 19thcentury Alexandria’s history. “It should be ready to display like this for many, many more decades,” concluded Wagner.
Related: Corey A. Smedley Named City of Alexandria’s Fire Chief
