In Alexandria VA, the Friendship Fire Company was founded in 1774. George Washington was said to have been one of its original volunteer firemen. Marlene modeled her rendition after the fire company's 1855 Italianate-style house, which has intricate cornice work and a fancy bell tower. Out front, Marlene has depicted a "coffee grinder" style hand-operated water pumper. To operate, it required four men pumping and one directing the water stream.