News Flash

Community historian Tim Receveur launches the new book, “The Pride of Phoebus: The Illustrious History of the Phoebus Fire Department,” co-authored with Tom Jackson, at the Hampton History Museum as part of its Port Hampton Lecture Series on Monday, November 4, 7-8 pm.

Today Phoebus is remembered for its 63 saloons and for its reputation as "Little Chicago". Excessive drinking, gambling, and riots defined Phoebus in the late 19th and early 20th century. More importantly, it is known for the Phoebus Fire Company, which has served the community since 1893. The Phoebus Fire Company helped put an end to riots, comforted a community during a Yellow Fever quarantine, and has saved the town from ruin time and again. Generations of families have served Phoebus with familiar names like Lancer, Snow, Mugler, Carmel, Norman, Hale, Clarke, Carpenters, Turner, Furness, Mittelmaier, Craigs, Hellman, Kaiser, Sharf, Haas, Stowell, Schmidt, Fuller, Sulzberger, Kearney, Selby, Beimler, Loughran, Smith, Larrabee, Kraft, Lewis, Mingee, Hellman, Saunders, and so many more. This book is dedicated to the men and women of the Phoebus Fire Company and their exemplary service to the Phoebus community.

About the Author
Tim Receveur is the director at PeaceTech Lab, a non-profit organization in Washington, D.C. that explores ways to use technology to reduce violent conflict around the world. Tim is also a 9-year veteran of the Air Force and spent 13 years working in applied technology at the U.S. Department of State. He now lives with his wife, April, in Phoebus. They created and manage the Facebook page “Phoebus and Fort Monroe: Then and Now" and the website phoebusmemories.org.

After his talk, Receveur will sign copies of the book available in the gift shop for $15. Museum members receive a 10% discount.

Admission is free for museum members, $5 for non-members.

The Hampton History Museum is located at 120 Old Hampton Lane in Downtown Hampton. There is free parking in the garage across the street from the museum. For more information call 757/727-1102, or visit www.hamptonhistorymuseum.org.

Image: Phoebus Fire Company No. 1 around 1899