Neighbor News
Charlestown Working Theater
The neighborhood once had five engine companies. In the 1990s, one was converted into a theater.
On Feb. 15, 1840 an act of the Massachusetts Legislature established a fire department in the Town of Charlestown. Seven years later, Charlestown incorporated as a city, becoming part of Middlesex County. By 1857 there were five engine companies in Charlestown, one hose company, a hook and ladder and one relief engine.
In 1870 and 1872 there were two serious fires in Charlestown: the first, described in the July 21, 1870 New York Times as "the most extensive fire in Charlestown since 1835," destroyed a linseed factory, put 200 people out of work and cost at least $400,000 in damages. Two years later, the Harvard School in City Square was destroyed by fire.
In 1874 Charlestown was annexed to Boston, and became part of Suffolk County. Ten years later a firehouse for Engine 32 was built at Bunker Hill and Short streets. Hose Company 2 at 556 Main Street was disbanded.
In 1961 Ladder Company 9 moved into the firehouse on Bunker Hill Street, from its former quarters with Engine Company 27 at 333 Main Street.
Engine 32 and Ladder 9 remained at 442 Bunker Hill until a modern firehouse was built at 525 Main Street, a short distance away, adjacent to the Schrafft Center. In 1970 the companies moved into the new firehouse. On Oct. 16, 1970 the firehouse at 442 Bunker Hill was closed. And in 1989 Engine 32 was entered into the National Registry of Historic Places.
A new use for the old station
In the early 1990s the abandoned firehouse became the home of the Charlestown Working Theater. Spearheaded by Charlestown natives Jennifer Johnson and Kristin Johnson and John Peitso, the three have worked together as Directors of the Charlestown Working Theater since 1993.
In its 20 years of operation, the Working Theater has focused on delivering original performances, such as the recent Caesarean Section; producing popular works, such as the Christmas Carol and developing new work. CWT puts a strong emphasis on children’s theater. They offer "quality theater, art, and music classes for children," largely free of charge.
Information for this article was compiled from various on-line resources, including http://www.bostonfirehistory.o... and http://www.charlestownworkingtheater.org; 1857 Annual Report given by the Chief Engineer of the Charlestown Fire Department @ http://www.bostonfirehistory.org/historycharlestownbefore1874.html. Photos @ http://www.bostonfirehistory.org/rigsladder09.html;