The Old Fire Station and Alresford Museum
The Old Fire Station
Historical records show there were two major “Great Fires” in New Alresford - in 1689 and 1736.
The Great Fire of 1689 was the most devastating blaze in the town’s history. It destroyed St John’s Church, the market house, and 117 houses. This event reshaped the town’s architecture, leading to later rebuilding in brick.
The Great Fire of 1736 was another significant fire which began in a brewery on West Street. It caused extensive damage and led to the Georgian rebuilding that still defines Broad Street today.
Perhaps because of the memory of these fires, in 1881, the Bailiff and Burgesses of New Alresford erected the Fire Engine House, now known as the Old Fire Station, to house the town's own horse-drawn fire engine. At the time, it was unusual for a town to own and run their own fire engine relying instead on insurance companies to do so. But these companies often refused to douse fires in buildings they did not cover leaving un-insured homes and businesses at the mercy of the flames.
Alresford Museum
The Alresford Museum was originally conceived by Roy Robins who established the Alresford and District Museum Trust as a charity in April 2006. The initial enthusiasm and impetus was lost upon his death in May 2007, and the charity was removed from the register in 2009.
Following negotiations, the Town Trust agreed to take over the collection and the administration of the museum. This was formally recognised by the Charity Commission in 2011.
In 2018, we successfully converted part of the Old Fire Station into an embryo museum to house the old steamer, horse-drawn fire engine and other artefacts.
We hold open days throughout the summer season - see the calendar of events for more information. Groups may arrange a private visit in exchange for a donation to the Town Trust. Email Roy@towntrust.org.uk to enquire.
Can you help?
The Town Trust is actively working to expand the museum's collection. We are very much interested in collecting or, at least, recording:
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old deeds or documents which relate to buildings or activities of the town;
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old accounts, bills, invoices, and ledgers relating to local businesses;
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artefacts showing how local people lived and worked in the past (e.g. related to crafts and industries like sheep rearing, fulling, brewing, building and thatching, watercress-growing, and voluntary and community services).
If you have material that might be of interest, please let us know and at least enable us to record it. Contact Roy@towntrust.org.uk to discuss.
A short history of the Old Fire Station
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The Fire Engine House was built in 1881 at a cost of £120 - around £18,500 today. In those days it was relatively unusual for a small town corporation to own and run its own fire engine.
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The Municipal Corporation Act of 1883 established parish and district councils throughout the England and Wales, and fire services were taken into their control. The Bailiff and Burgesses of New Alresford leased and rented the Old Fire Station to an official body that, by 1901, had become the Fire Brigade Committee of Alresford Rural District Council for £5 a year.
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By the late 1930s, the fire station building had become too small for the modern motorised engines and ceased to be known as 'The Fire Engine House'. The building became instead an office housing clerks to the local Parish Council.
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During the Second World War, the site was sequestered by the government and became home to the ARP, officials who were responsible for ensuring that everyone in the town complied with the air raid precautions.
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In 1946, Town Trustees leased the building back to Winchester and Rural District council.
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For the next 36 years, various local government organisations including the Southampton Water Authority held the lease on very low rents. It wasn't until 1982 when the Parish Council moved into new offices at Arlebury Park that the Town Trustees were able to let the property on commercial terms.
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An application was made to change the use of the building to house a furniture restoration workshop in 1983. This continued until 2002 when it became a furniture salesroom, and it has been a picture framing business since 2004.
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In 2018 the Engine House behind the big red doors was converted to house the horse-drawn 'steamer' fire engine you can see there today.
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In 2020 the rear of the Engine House was refurbished and now houses the Alresford Museum.
For more detailed information about the Old Fire Station, see: History of the Old Fire Station