Firebells and Granite Steps: The Hope Collective’s Connection to Firefighters

One of the things I love most about this property is how it continues to reveal its history little by little, like a good story told in chapters. When we bought the Howland-Gould General Store in 2022, we knew it had once been a general store, and we soon learned about its curious turn as a teahouse. But one detail really captured our imaginations: one set of the stone steps leading up from the road didn’t go to the store at all — it led to Hope’s volunteer fire department.

Yes, right here on this very property, neighbors once came running when the fire bell rang. We are now quite literally next door to the Hope-Jackson Fire Department, which means this little corner of the village has been a hub for community safety for generations. The thought of it still gives me chills — my dad was a firefighter in Summit, RI. 

Imagine Hope in the late 1800s or early 1900s: a tight-knit mill village, wood-framed houses clustered close together, the ever-present risk of fire in the air. When a blaze broke out, the whole town had to work together — there was no full-time department, no sirens, no fire hydrants on every corner. Instead, a bell or whistle would sound, and volunteers would sprint toward the station, pulling on boots, grabbing buckets, and readying hand-pumped engines.

Those granite steps on our property were part of that story. You can almost picture the boots pounding up them — sometimes in the middle of the night, sometimes in a storm — answering the call to protect the town. Our neighbor, whose Aunt remembered the old firehouse years, told us how kids in the village would gather just to watch the volunteers muster when the alarm rang. It was exciting, dramatic, and also reassuring: you knew someone had your back.

The firehouse itself is long gone, but the spirit of it lingers. When we first walked the property, those extra steps puzzled us. Now they feel like an invitation to honor the role this land has played in keeping Hope safe. There’s something deeply grounding about living on a site where neighbors once worked side by side to protect each other’s homes, barns, and livelihoods.

Being neighbors with the modern Hope-Jackson Fire Department brings this history full circle. It’s not lost on me that we are now just a few doors down from the dedicated firefighters who still answer calls day and night — only now with state-of-the-art equipment and trucks that gleam red in the sun. The connection between past and present feels strong here.

As we’ve restored the Howland-Gould Store, we’ve kept this history in mind. The stone steps have become one of my favorite features — a tangible link to those who came before us. I love the idea that, for nearly two centuries, those steps have seen everything from farm boots to firefighters’ gear, from store customers to curious kids watching the fire wagons.

Our neighbors at the fire department have been incredibly welcoming, and I think they enjoy that this old property is being cared for again. It’s become a shared conversation starter: they tell us stories about the early days of firefighting in Hope, and we share what we’ve uncovered about the store. There’s a sense of continuity that makes this little corner of the village feel special — a place where past and present meet in a very real way.

And there’s a lesson tucked inside this history, too. The volunteer fire department was all about neighbors helping neighbors, about showing up for each other when it mattered most. That spirit feels alive on this property, in the way people stop to chat when they see us in the garden, or tell us what they remember about the store, or share their memories of the old firehouse.

Restoring 48 Main Street and creating The Hope Collective hasn’t just been about peeling back paneling or exposing granite walls — it’s been about reconnecting to this sense of community resilience. The building was always meant to be a gathering place, and now, as we bring it back to life, it feels like we’re honoring not just the storekeepers but also the firefighters, the neighbors, the volunteers — everyone who’s been part of this corner’s story.

Next time you pass through Hope and see those old stone steps, take a moment to imagine the scene: the bell ringing, the hurried footsteps, the shouted instructions, and the whole village breathing a little easier because someone answered the call. It’s a powerful reminder that this place has always been about looking out for one another — a tradition that continues today.