Events
Next AHS Lecture
Wednesday, June 26th
Catherine Weinraub, Friendship Historian
Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of Alexandria’s Friendship Fire Company
From Buckets to Motors: The History of the Alexandria Fire Department
7:00 at the Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum
201 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22301
Doors open at 6:30. Light refreshments will be available
Catherine Weinraub earned a Bachelor's degree in American History with a concentration in historic preservation and a focus on American history until the Reconstruction Period. She holds a Master's degree in Collections Management from the George Washington University Museum Studies Program.
Driven by her passion for architecture and social history, Catherine has primarily focused her career on working in House Museums. She is an expert at leading tours and is currently engrossed in conducting extensive genealogical research to unearth the rich histories of Ivy Hill Cemetery, where she is employed. She plans to prepare the cemetery for its future role as a museum and historic destination, which includes getting it listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Catherine also serves as the Historian of the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association and authored a booklet in honor of Friendship Fire Company's 250th Anniversary. The Friendship Fire Company, established in 1774, was the first fire company in Alexandria. Friendship members were volunteers concerned for the well-being of the community. By the mid-19th century there were five Alexandria volunteer fire companies: Friendship, Sun, Relief, Star and Hydraulion. They fought fires large and small, including three major fires in 1827, 1855 and 1871. Today the historic Friendship Firehouse on South Alfred Street in Old Town is a City of Alexandria museum.
AHS Lectures: Free for Members / $5 for Non-members
Become a Member: Participate in our Golden Challenge & become a
Golden Charter Member
This Event will begin with the brief Alexandria Historical Society's Annual Members Meeting and
Election of New & Renewing Board Members.
Even more events are planned for outside the lecture hall this summer
See the History Behind the Scenes page for the latest updates.
Many of our past events that remain relevant and interesting are available online in Recorded Lectures