Who are the Liberty Fire Company No. 5?

  The Liberty Fire Company No. 5 was organized on January 21,1854. Many prominent citizens lent their support to a subscription campaign that by February 18, 1854, netted the company $764 towards the purchase of a fire engine and shelter. A committee appointed the previous month had selected the new site at the southeast corner of 5th and Laurel streets for the location of the new Firehouse. The land was purchased by the city for $650, plans for the building were drafted in the fall of 1854 and the first Firehouse was erected by the city at the cost of $1490. The building, a two-story brick structure 25 feet by 40 feet was completed early in 1855. The Liberty Company purchased its first hand drawn fire apparatus on October 17, 1854 from John Agnew of Philadelphia for $2510.00. An especially prominent name in the company's records was Captain Frederick Sheerer Boas. The Liberties first Vice President, later President, and longtime active member, at the age of 21 in 1855 he helped organize the renowned Reading Rifles unit. When the civil war broke out Captain Boas organized company I of the 20th regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, mustering 110 men many of whom were members of the Liberty Fire Company. On the evening of April 19, 1861 four days after the fall of Fort Sumter a special meeting was called for the purpose of addressing the members on the present state of the country, stirring speeches were made by President Boas and others, it was resolved that a military discipline be introduced and that a number of officers to be chosen to instruct the members and their duties as civilian soldiers, the lower room of the Firehouse became the drill hall. A drill was being held every weekday evening with Captain Boas as the chief instructor. Many from this training joined the unit known as the Liberty Fire Zouaves, Pa 20th Reg Co G.

The company acquired its first steam fire engine a 1st Class Amoskeag about the middle of December 1865, its housing was a gala event and was preceded by a parade. Support for the new steamer had begun a full year before with the public circulation of a letter appealing for subscriptions. The City Council appropriated $2000 towards its purchase in April 1865. The Liberty company was the first fire company in Reading to purchase horses in 1872.The original site of the Liberty Firehouse was purchased from the city by the company; an additional property adjoining the lot was acquired on April 27, 1874.  The first building was replaced by the present structure in 1876 at the company's expense. Liberty was the only company in the Reading Fire Department to own their own station house at this time.The new headquarters was a two-story brick building, the excavation work was done by the members of those who worked in the daytime dug at night while those employed at night dug during the day. The dirt was hauled in wagons owned by the members and drawn by the companies’ horses. Sand was obtained from the Schuylkill River by members who went after it in a canal boat that was loaned by an enthusiastic supporter. During the period from April 4th to October 30, 1876, a total of $6411.87 was appropriated from the company treasurer to the building committee towards the cost of the construction.

The Liberty Fire Company station house is one of the most important architectural and historic landmarks in the City of Reading and the County of Berks. The site has functioned as the home of the Liberty Fire Company since 1854. The unusual combination of utilitarian purposes, the architectural quality of the structure, and its intact original character makes it one of the best-preserved historical landmarks in the city and county. Numerous tours have been conducted through the building and without exception, the tour participants, whatever their age, background, or experience, have reacted with genuine surprise, mixed with both respect and appreciation for the elegance and beauty of the various rooms. The structure is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This building still contains the original furnishings from 1876 which were donated by the Philadelphia department store mogul John Wanamaker following a display of these items at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition of the United States at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. During those early days, the firehouse was considered the center of social activity in every neighborhood. The South Fifth Street area was inhabited by many people of high social and professional standing who were friends of Wanamaker.