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Villanova helps Bryn Mawr Fire Company celebrate 100
years of service
By Maria Greshock ‘03 and Greg McGlone ‘03
 On
June 18, the Bryn Mawr Fire Company began its 100th anniversary commemoration
with an open house. The four-day celebration also included an Ecumenical
Service at Mother of Good Counsel Church in Bryn Mawr on June 19, and
a housing ceremony at Bryn Mawr Fire Company on June 20. The biggest event
was the Centennial Parade on June 21, which traveled west on Route 30
from Old Lancaster to the University. Following the parade, Villanova
volunteers welcomed parade participants and community members to its campus
to enjoy food, drinks, and music.
Dave Cannan, seventh ward commissioner, representing Rosemont and Garret
Hill said the township shut down Route 30 from the Bryn Mawr firehouse
to Villanova. He assured that the parade was “going to be a big,
big celebration.” Cannan was indeed right. The fire company had
been saving money and planning this year’s celebration for the past
10 years. More than 100 fire companies from all around Pennsylvania participated
in the parade and attended the post-parade festivities at Villanova. Over
175 pieces of fire fighting equipment, including the company's original
No. 4 Metropolitan Steam Engine, which was borrowed back from the Vauclain
Fire Company in Delaware County, were shown off in the march. Also joining
the parade were dignitaries, marching bands and members of various community
organizations. The last time Bryn Mawr Fire Company hosted a parade of
this caliber was in 1978 for their 75th anniversary.
The Bryn Mawr Fire Company has been serving the community since June 22,
1903, when subscribers to the Certificate of Incorporation, including
P.A. Hart I. Warner Arthur, and William H. Ramsey, appeared before Edward
W. Miller, a notary public. According to the Bryn Mawr Fire department
web site, the company came to be known as the “Millionaire Fire
Company” because the 32 subscribers were regarded as the most wealthy
and prominent men in the Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Rosemont areas. Three
years after signing the certificate, the Bryn Mawr firehouse was dedicated
and the fire equipment was officially housed. The new firehouse was considered
“one of the finest in the whole state.” To mark this celebration,
thousands of people crowded the streets for a giant parade.
 This
year’s celebration was held in tribute of the munificent and reliable
volunteers of the past and present who have devoted their time to helping
make the community a safer place. For the past 100 years, volunteers have
risked their lives to attend to fires in the Bryn Mawr area including
the renowned Bryn Mawr College fire in 1905, St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery
fire in 1932, Ardmore Bowling Alley fire in 1964 and Overbrook Country
Club fire in 1999. Today, there are approximately 45 volunteer firefighters
working for the Bryn Mawr Fire Company.
Cannan expressed wishes for community involvement in the festivities.
For Cannan, it was an “honor to be at the 100th anniversary celebration
with the dedicated men and women of the fire company.”
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