EMMITSBURG,
Md. – To coincide with the grand opening of the new
museum season throughout Frederick County, Vigilant Hose Company
President Frank Davis has authorized the ringing of the company’s
historic bell (outside on the front wall of the station) on
Saturday, April 5 at 10 a.m. At the same time, two large emergency
vehicles will be pulled to the front of the station’s
doorways so that their shiny bells can be rung. These bells
will be joined by those of numerous other firehouses, civic
buildings, and churches all across the county.
Much of this
year’s Bell and History Days’ activity is centered
in and around Emmitsburg. The Sunday afternoon grand finale
will be held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St.
Elizabeth Ann Seton. At 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, eight
Frederick County handbell choirs with more than 100 ringers
will play solo and mass-ring musical selections. The one-hour
concert is free of charge and all members of the public
are invited.
Additionally,
the future home of the Frederick County Fire and Rescue
Museum and its companion, the National Fire Heritage Center,
will be open to all interested visitors at their future
location in the former Emmitsburg Ambulance Company building
at 302 South Seton Avenue. The building is one of the scheduled
stops on the Bell and History Days’ “Trolley
Tour,” a free way to get around Emmitsburg. On display
at the stop will be 1700s vintage equipment, including the
Independent Hose Company’s beautifully restored antique
hose carriage along with a majestic antique hand pumper
once operated by the United Fire Company. The hand pumper
was only recently returned to the county after having been
in New England for decades.
