“If These Walls Could Talk: The History of the Fitchburg Fire Department”

Man has always had a love-hate relationship with fire. We love it for the warmth and light it provides but we hate it when it yields its deadly and destructive force.

In 1764 when Fitchburg was incorporated as a town, its  population of 250 folks was made up of 22 families . Each family was expected to keep a leather water bucket, a canvas bag and a ladder by their front door to use when word of a fire spread through the village. The buckets were filled with water and ladders were climbed to douse the flames. Women would run in with the canvas bags and remove precious or useful items while the  men would try to  take apart the beds and carry them out. The rest of the folks would form “a bucket brigade” to fill and pass their buckets from a water source to the fire. So, the whole town became “Fitchburg’s first fire department.” And this was just the beginning...

The Fitchburg Historical Society is proud to present the 2017 George R. Wallace, Jr. and Alice Wallace Exhibit “If These Walks Could Talk”-The History of the Fitchburg Fire Department beginning March 20, 2017 and running until June 7, 2017. The exhibit is  based  on research done by the staff at the Society, and   by the former President of the Fitchburg Historical Society and retired firefighter, Philip D. Jordan who  kindly allowed us to bring to life his 2012 book about the history of the fire department  and to  use its same title for  our exhibit.   The show will illustrate the story of how the earliest colonial settlers banded together to fight fires. It will explain how the need for better equipment and organization to fight fires in the  1820s,  led to a group called the  “Fitchburg Fire Club” who  laid the foundation for  establishing the  first fire department in 1851.

The exhibit will showcase many artifacts, documents, uniforms, equipment and photos that have been preserved either in our collection, at the fire department or from personal collections on loan to us. The exhibit will feature the stories of the line of chiefs who continue to served our  city with professionalism, dedication and pride. It honors all of our firefighters who place their lives on the line at each call, and it honors those who gave their lives in the line of duty. Its history will be told by featuring the fire houses and equipment that were in operation throughout its timeline from 1820 to the present. And, the exhibit will illustrate and tell about some of the tragic and memorable fires that have  rocked Fitchburg through the years.

As you peruse the exhibit, you will see how the Fitchburg Fire Department evolved over the years and how it has implemented the tremendous advancements made in fire science,  fire safety, training,  technology and equipment. All of their progress and training has  led to fewer large fires, and less loss of life and property that were  so prevailing in our city years ago. Fitchburg can sleep well at night knowing that its Fire Department is on duty.

The exhibit opens Monday March 20, 2017. It will be open every Monday 10:00-4:00, Tuesday 10:00:-5:00 and Wednesday 10:00-6:00 in the Exhibition Hall at 781 Main Street across from the Sentinel building.. Admission is free.  Contact the Fitchburg Historical Society at 978-345-1157 or on-line at director@fitchburghistoricalsociety.com for more information.