CINCINNATI (AP) — Early firefighters are depicted in wall sculptures being preserved in Cincinnati.
The dozen pieces of artwork will be placed at the Cincinnati Fire Department's union headquarters building. The department pioneered professional firefighting in 1853.
The Cincinnati Enquirer says (http://cin.ci/10mhuc1 ) it's not known who created the work being moved from a former Eden Park pump station. The long-vacant building is going to be renovated by investors into a brewery
The sculptural reliefs show scenes such as four men operating a manual water pump, a steam fire engine, and horses pulling a fire engine. The scenes go back to the 18th century.
An art restoration expert says the images were probably carved out of wood or other block material and then filled in with plaster or other material to create the relief.
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Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.com
