Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Firehouse Turned BBQ Restaurant

As I was looking for project ideas for my watercolor students, I pulled out a set of old, printed photos a friend of mine gave me back in the 1990's. 

Amongst the photos I found a picture of the front of this cute, little firehouse. Unfortunately, the top of the building was cut off in the picture so I went online to find a reference photo I could use to complete the facade.

I couldn't find any.

With a little more digging I uncovered the sad story:

The H.W. Rogers Hose Co. No. 2 began operation in 1794. A home for the retired volunteer firefighters was built in 1892 on the same grounds. The firehouse was turned into a museum along with six others. Back in 1998 they were still considered an asset to the history and civic pride of the downtown area.

In 2002 the old firehouse became a barbeque restaurant.

It was the second oldest volunteer firehouse in New York State.

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References:

New York Times, "Our Towns; A Tradition Of Firefighting Put to the Test"
By JANE GROSS, Published: September 24, 1998
http://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/24/nyregion/our-towns-a-tradition-of-firefighting-put-to-the-test.html

Website, American Glory BBQ Restaurant:
http://www.americanglory.com

Website, Good Morning Gloucester:
https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/the-american-glory-at-cruise-port/

Image of restaurant:
https://goodmorninggloucester.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/august-17-2012-american-glory.jpg?w=86