Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association

THE 1858 “PRETTYMAN” HOSE REEL NEEDS TO BE RESTORED

In the collection of antique fire apparatus in the Friendship Firehouse Museum is the Prettyman Hose Reel. Made by a local carriage and coach maker in Alexandria, Robert Prettyman, it played a significant role in early Alexandria fire fighting operations. After water mains and fire hydrants were installed throughout the streets of Alexandria, supply hose lines were needed to move water from the hydrants to the pumper engines. Thus the hose reel wagon was developed to transport these hose lengths. 

It was fashionable in those days to decorate the equipment, and the Friendship wagon was adorned with portraits of the current Friendship presidents, a fancy finial was affixed atop the lantern, and the unique Friendship Fire Company handshake logo adorned the sides of the hose reel. 

Today, the hose reel wagon stands in the museum, but its glory of a magnificent carriage is diminishing. At 150+ years of age, the paint is flaking off badly, the axel hubs are cracked, the bells are tarnished, the lantern needs mending and the pictures of the presidents need refurbishing.   

The goal of Friendship is to return the wagon to its original condition for current and future generations to see how early colonial firefighting operations were conducted and how fire apparatus has evolved from the 19th century.

To undertake this renovation project a company, who specializes in renovation of fire appliances, has been contacted to do this work. We must now raise sufficient funds to underwrite this effort. Our goal through Razoo is to raise $5000 of the needed $300,000 total to refurbish the hose reel and adjoining suction pumper.  

PLEASE DONATE TODAY TO PRESERVE OUR HISTORY.