HVFC - Hampton Volunteer Fire Company

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

06/18/2026

ODHFS has lost a long time member, Claude Burge, 93, of Hampton, Va. who passed away on Tuesday 6/16/26 following a fall at his home. Claude was a lifetime member of The Hampton VFD and a member of the ODHFS since 2008.

Claude, together with his son Mark are the owners of an antique Ford C Model pumper that they were both looking forward to getting back on the road following some lengthy mechanical repairs.

Family visitation on Sunday 6/21 at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 245 S. Armistead Ave., Hampton at 5-6:30 PM. Funeral service 9:30 AM on Monday with arrival at Parklawn Cemetary at 11:00 AM.

Obituary: https://www.rhaydensmith.com/obituaries/claude-burge

04/09/2026

Today in Hampton History
1884 - A devastating fire destroys over a quarter of the town of Hampton. Begun in a harness shop and dry goods store on W. Queen Street, the fire spread quickly in windy conditions, consuming most of the businesses on the western side of King Street.

Hampton had no fire department, and firefighters from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), the National Soldiers’ Home (now the Hampton VA Medical Center), and Fort Monroe rushed across the Hampton River to battle the blaze. Their assistance prevented the fire from consuming the entire town. In the wake of the disaster, volunteers formed the first Hampton fire company later that year.

Image: The Hampton Fire Department at its fire house on Court Street (behind the Courthouse), 1892.

Find more Fire Department history in our collections online:
https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/advanced-search?includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CArchives%2CLibrary%2CPeople%2CContainers&Topic=%22Fire+Departments%2FLaw+Enforcement%22&page=1&size=10&withImages=false

04/07/2026

04/05/2026

Former HVFC 1922 Ahrens-Fox M-S-3 Piston Pumper