Strawbery Banke Presents
HISTORIC PORTSMOUTH #22

Two centuries ago this early pumper was no match for a house afire. It’s clear why downtown Portsmouth burned nearly to the ground three times in December in the early 1800s -- before city laws mandated the use of brick, not wood. Sadly, this historic Philadelphia-built engine was sold to a private collector by an antiques dealer. (click for full pic)

HISTORIC PHOTOS of the Greater Portsmouth Area appear here weekly

SEE: 1740 pumper in Nova Scotia Museum

From HISTORIC PORTSMOUTH
Early Photographs from the Collections of Strawbery Banke
by James L. Garvin & Susan Grigg, Peter Randall Publisher
(c) Strawbery Banke Museum . All rights reserved.

See new photos weekly here and each Thursday in
The Portsmouth Herald. Edited by J. Dennis Robinson.