Exhibition – Emsworth Fire Brigade
August 30 @ 10:30 AM – October 27 @ 4:30 PM
The Museum occupies the offices and council chamber of the Warblington Urban District Council, built in 1900 before the council merged with Havant and Waterlooville. At the time, the council was responsible for the fire brigade which was manned by volunteers drawn from the local community. The fire station was included on the ground floor of the building. It has operated from there ever since.
This exhibition traces the history of the fire brigade from these early beginnings up to the present day.
Emsworth fire station has been in continuous use for more than 120 years and must now be one of the oldest in the country.
Using pictures of early equipment and uniforms this exhibition will trace the history of the Emsworth Fire Brigade from about 1885 when the fire engine was horse drawn and hand pumped. An appliance such as this was used to fight the Stansted House fire in July 1900 and from pictures of the event it appears that uniforms had changed very little since the mid 1800s.
On Saturday 31st August, in conjunction with the exhibition in Emsworth Museum, the Emsworth Fire Station will hold an open day with fire engines old and new on display in the car park alongside the Museum.
