Sarah Zane Volunteer Fire Company Collection

440 WFCHS

Inventory created by Archives 11/1997. Last revised 09/2018

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: Collection is open to all researchers.

USE RESTRICTIONS: Restrictions may apply concerning the use, duplication, or publication of items in this collection. Consult a member of the archives staff for information concerning these restrictions. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright.

EXTENT: 0.21 linear feet

DATE: 1840 - 1940

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The Sarah Zane Volunteer Fire Company Collection contains two brief histories of the Sarah Zane Fire Company, news clippings, and items relating to the fire company such as ribbons and medallions.

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL: The Sarah Zane Fire Company was the first fire company in Winchester. It was founded in 1840 and named for it first benefactor Sarah Zane. Sarah Zane was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sarah spent much of her adult life in Winchester, VA, and managed her brother Isaac’s estate after his death. She died in 1821 and left money to the City of Winchester in her will to buy a fire engine and hose. The Sarah Zane Fire Company, which was located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Fairfax Lane and North Loudoun St., ceased operations in the 1980s.

CITE AS: Sarah Zane Volunteer Fire Company Collection, 440 WFCHS, Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, Handley Regional Library, Winchester, VA, USA.

ACQUISITION INFORMATION: Acquired as a gift.

ORGANIZATION:

BOX 1 

History (folder contains the following):
“History of the Sarah Zane Fire Co.” by Ralph Bageant, October 8, 1940, 3 leaves, manuscript
“The Sarah Zane Fire Company” by Myrtle Cooper, October 9, 1940, 4 leaves, manuscript

News Articles – Sarah Zane Volunteer Fire Company

Program – Sarah Zane Minstrels at The Empire Theater, May 8-9, 1923, February 5-6, 1924, 2 copies, 12 pages each, printed 

Sarah Zane Fire Company Ladies Meeting, January 13, 1910, invitation to meeting, 1 leaf and one envelope, printed

Medal --   “Member, Sarah Zane Fire Company No. 1, Winchester, Virginia, Organized 1840”, Red Ribbon with Gold Lettering and Fire Engine on Medal, 1 item

Ribbon – “Flags and Banners, Baltimore, MD”, n.d., Red with Silver Illustration, 1 item

Ribbon – “Sarah Zane Steam Fire Engine No. 1, Winchester, Virginia” at Hagerstown, MD, June 13-14, 1894, Pale Green with tassel, 1 item 

Ribbons – “Apple Blossom Festival, Guest of Sarah Zane Fire Company," 4 items (folder contains the following):              
May 4-5, 1926, Pink with Green Lettering                 
April 27-28, 1927, Pink with Green Lettering                   
April 27-28, 1927, Beige with Green Lettering                 
April 18-19, 1929, Pink with Green Lettering

Ribbons – “Cumberland Valley Fireman’s Association, Westernport, MD, Guest of Sarah Zane Fire Company”, August 9-10-11, 1927, 2 ribbons

Ribbons – “Committee to District of Columbia Fireman’s Parade, Guest of Sarah Zane Fire Company”, September 5, 1927, 2 ribbons

PHOTOGRAPHS: Photographs and other images belonging to this collection may be accessed online through http://handley.pastperfectonline.com/