HVFC - Hampton Volunteer Fire Company

09/19/2026

Today in Hampton History
1956 - The first fire alarm call is received at downtown Hampton’s new fire station on Pembroke Avenue. The call was for a burning shed on Curle Road. Two days earlier, the department received its last call at its original location behind the old courthouse.

Image: Hampton’s new fire station around the time of its opening. HHM Collections.

Find more Hampton Fire Department history in the Museum’s collections online: https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/advanced-search?includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CArchives%2CLibrary%2CPeople%2CContainers&Geography+and+Place=%22Structure--Hampton+Fire+Department%22&page=1&size=10&withImages=false

https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/advanced-search?includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CArchives%2CLibrary%2CPeople%2CContainers&Geography+and+Place=%22Structure--Hampton+Fire+Station+No.+1%22&page=1&size=10&withImages=false

https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/search?search=%22Fire+Departments%2FLaw+Enforcement%22&includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CLibrary%2CArchives%2CPeople&page=1&size=10&withImages=false

09/18/2026

On this day in HVFC history, the original Station 1 ran its final call before relocating to the new station on Pembroke Ave

Today in Hampton History
1956 - The last alarm is received at Hampton’s old fire station, then located behind the Courthouse, for a fire near the corner of Lincoln and Eaton streets. The department’s new station, on Pembroke Avenue, received its first call two days later.

Image: Downtown Hampton’s old fire station in 1930. HHM Collections.

Find more Hampton Fire Department history in the Museum’s collections online: https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/advanced-search?includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CArchives%2CLibrary%2CPeople%2CContainers&Geography+and+Place=%22Structure--Hampton+Fire+Department%22&page=1&size=10&withImages=false

https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/advanced-search?includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CArchives%2CLibrary%2CPeople%2CContainers&Geography+and+Place=%22Structure--Hampton+Fire+Station+No.+1%22&page=1&size=10&withImages=false

https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/search?search=%22Fire+Departments%2FLaw+Enforcement%22&includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CLibrary%2CArchives%2CPeople&page=1&size=10&withImages=false

09/11/2026

07/13/2026

The Northampton Volunteer Fire Company extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and members of the HVFC - Hampton Volunteer Fire Company following the passing of former Deputy Chief and Life Member Billy Schwartz.

Chief Schwartz dedicated an incredible 79 years of faithful service to the Hampton Volunteer Fire Company, leaving behind a legacy of commitment, leadership, and service to his community that will not be forgotten.

Please keep the Schwartz family and our brothers and sisters of the Hampton Volunteer Fire Company in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Rest easy, Chief. Thank you for a lifetime of service.

07/07/2026

Today in Hampton History
1896 - The tenth annual convention of the Virginia State Firemen’s Association begins meeting in Hampton. The three-day convention covered several public policy questions and trade issues, including fire drills in schools, regulation of fuel and other flammable materials, and developments in new firefighting equipment and technology.

In a firefighting skill tournament, the Lexington Reel Company No. 1 won the Reel Contest, and in the afternoon on the 9th, a parade of fire companies, equipment, and bands made its way from Armistead Ave. through downtown and to the Soldiers’ Home.

Image: 1909 firemen’s Convention. HHM Collections.

Find more Fire Department history in the Museum’s collections online:
https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/search?search=%22Fire+Department%22&includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CLibrary%2CArchives%2CPeople&page=1&size=10&withImages=false

06/22/2026

Today in Hampton History
1887 - Hampton’s Town Council appoints A.D. Wallace, James S. Darling, and J.W. Williams to the Committee on the Fire Department.

By July 1887, the new Committee on the Fire Department made plans to build this fire house, located behind the Courthouse building. HHM Collections.

Find more Fire Department history in the Museum’s collections online:
https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/search?search=%22Fire+Department%22&includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CLibrary%2CArchives%2CPeople&page=1&size=10&withImages=false