Friendship Firehouse Museum

The Friendship Fire Company was established in 1774, as the first volunteer fire company in Alexandria. The current firehouse was built in 1855, was substantially remodeled in 1871, and was restored by the City of Alexandria in 1992.

Page updated on Nov 25, 2020 at 11:00 AM

Friendship Firehouse Museum

Friendship Firehouse Building PhotographIn a town of mostly wooden buildings, where open flames provided heat, light and cooking on a daily basis, fire was a constant danger. The Friendship, Sun, Relief, Hydraulion and other local volunteer fire companies served the community faithfully, particularly during enormous blazes in 1827, 1855, 1871, and 1922. Some of their stories and equipment are preserved today in the Friendship Firehouse Museum.

Closures

The museum is closed and public programs are cancelled until further notice. 

Covid-19 Operation Guidelines  

The Office of Historic Alexandria established the following guidelines to ensure consistent operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff will regularly re-evaluate them through the remainder of 2020 based on available staffing levels and as the region moves through Phase 3 of the Forward Virginia plan. Includes guidelines for guided tours, volunteers, rentals, public programs and events, and on-site research and collections use by the public.

Covid-19 Operation Guidelines

STAY CONNECTED!

Follow the Alexandria History Museum on social media and sign up for eNews and join the  Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association.
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Virtual Tour

Visit the  Friendship Firehouse Museum on a Google 360 virtual tour.

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Winter in Alexandria Activity Portal

While our lives today look different than generations past, winter still brings a common feeling of change. Even this year, when COVID 19 is changing much of what we do, colder days, longer nights, and holiday.

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Educational Resources at Friendship Firehouse

Find firefighting learning resources for your students (Pre-K through 8th grade), scouts or other group. Learn from home with fun activities, books, and links to explore Friendship Firehouse Museum, firefighting history, and fire safety at home.

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Activities and Events at Friendship Firehouse

Join us for events and activities throughout the year.  Children visiting the museum are invited to go on our history hunt and explore firefighting history through hands-on objects. For adults and youth, special guided firefighting history tours are offered in the spring and fall. Visit us for special Open House days, and for the Firehouse Festival on the first Saturday in August. 

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Three City Museums Now Open

Museums are beginning to reopen in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Forward Virginia Plan. The Alexandria Archaeology Museum, Gadsby's Tavern Museum, and Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum are now open. Public programs are cancelled until further notice. Refer to the Calendar for the status of Commission and other departmental associated meetings.

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Saving the Historic Fire-fighting Vehicles

The vehicles and exhibits at Friendship Firehouse Museum illuminate the history of firefighting in Alexandria. Years of hard use took their toll on the suction hand engine and hose-reel carriage, but when they are fully conserved, the apparatus’ paint history will be stabilized and preserved for future generations to enjoy.   

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The Legacy of George Floyd: Documenting Alexandria’s Response

Peaceful vigils, protests and other events took place in Alexandria during the first week in June, following the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd. Recognizing the importance of this moment in history, the Office of Historic Alexandria invites the community to share signs, t-shirts, flyers, photographs, journals, personal stories, and artifacts that document local vigils and protests. 

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Chronicling the Pandemic: Alexandria’s Story

As we experience this unprecedented time in the history of our town and the world, the Office of Historic Alexandria is embarking on a project to record our City’s response by conducting oral histories and collecting select memories, objects and documents from across the Alexandria community.

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Plan Your Visit to Friendship Firehouse

Location, hours, directions, and everything you need to know to visit Friendship Firehouse Museum.
Parking and Trolley Map 

Museum Hours

Note: the museums and offices are closed and public programs are cancelled until further notice.    
 
Closed
New Year's Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day

Email the Museum

Email the Friendship Firehouse Museum

Event Tickets

To purchase tickets to events at the Friendship Firehouse Museum, and to shop online, visit  The Alexandria Shop. 

American Alliance of Museums logo 

American Alliance of Museums
Accredited Museum 

 


 

 

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