Whether you are an old vehicle buff, a lover of history, or a person who loves the Norman Rockwell feel of Blowing Rock, here is an opportunity to put your money where your heart is….and it does not have to be a huge lump sum. The Blowing Rock Historical Society in its continuing effort to assist in the restoration of the Town’s first fire truck is appealing to you to help the “pieces come together” again.
Five years ago, the effort to follow the mission of the Historical Society which is to protect and preserve historic resources important to the heritage of Blowing Rock, led the group to give financial support to the beginning efforts of the restoration of Blowing Rock’s first fire engine, a 1926 Brockway LaFrance fire truck.
The truck, in fragile condition was taken on as a special restoration project to bring this historic artifact back to life so the history of our fire-fighting and rescue services could be well documented for future generations. This beauty of this state-of-the-art equipment was a matter of great pride in the late 1920’s when the attached article by Rupert Gillett in the December 16, 1926 told of the excitement of the purchase of this marvelous fire-fighting equipment.
Also, of great interest to car/truck lovers is the original advertisement in the Fire Engineering magazine in April of 1927 which advertised the Cosmopolitan, the marketing name for the very same vehicle which served the town of Blowing Rock so well, and was perfect for the “small community” and priced to be affordable ($6,500).
After many years of hand-sanding the parts, the fire engine has been completely disassembled, and each part is ready for the “blasting” process to remove the rust and old paint, so that the new
finish will adhere permanently and the truly “fire engine red” vehicle will once again be a major part of the village’s historical tradition and can proudly be driven in our Norman Rockwell 4th of July parades. Police officer Hank Bixby began this heroic restoration project over five years ago, and now Mike Hicks has come aboard to further that effort. Fire Marshall Kent Graham, who has been working with the Blowing Rock Historical Society for years, summed up the effort with these words: “We as a town, working together can make this project succeed. We are looking for donations to help pay for each phase of the project, with a total of about $20,000 going into the rehabilitation of this spectacular exhibit. Telling the story of the 82 year old history of our town’s first fire truck, and the much longer history of buildings burning to the ground without the proper equipment, is a very important part of how we got to be the Blowing Rock we are today.”
“With the need for further resources, The Blowing Rock Historical Society is seeking donations for this project. Donations to the Society are fully tax deductible to the limit of the law within IRS standards, and will be given directly to the project,” said Ginny Stevens, Vice President of the group. Checks may be sent to the Blowing Rock Historical Society, P.O. Box 804, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 and should be noted that it is for the Fire Truck Project. “At this time we are seeking donations which will total $2,000, to pay for the blasting process. Then each of the 10 phases of the restoration can be paid for as it is accomplished, one phase at a time (a total of $20,000)” Mrs. Stevens reiterated.
Join with us NOW, and celebrate the 1926’s LaFrance fire truck’s return to its former glory as an icon of its day. All donors will be named on the Donor Plaque which will be mounted at the end of the funding. You can make a difference