In September 2024, the Greenport Fire Department debuted its inaugural fundraising calendar. While there are far fewer naked torsos in this version than the famous Australian Firefighters Calendar, the portraits of Greenport FD volunteers – by local editorial photographer David Benthalare – similarly arresting in style and playful in presentation.

At the Station features several photos included in the calendar, but most of the portraits have never been displayed before. Inspired by movie poster designs of the 1980s (think Road House and Flashdance}, Benthal has incorporated these into posters you might find in a fire station rec room. Equipment and memorabilia from the two Greenport firehouses, as well as other props, contribute to this staging.

Founded in 1845, the Greenport Fire Department celebrates its 180th anniversary in 2025. The title, At the Station, references this passing time, nodding to the firefighters of the past, the present-day volunteers, and the firefighters of the future. To further mark this anniversary, several displays interspersed throughout the exhibition outline aspects of the department’s history and organization. These displays shed light on a local institution that is greatly admired but the day-to-day workings of which are not necessarily well-known. They also highlight the brave endeavors of its volunteers; Benthal’s tongue-in-cheek movie-star posters spotlight a few of these heroes. By displaying these portraits in a make-believe firehouse, the exhibition aims to also capture the humor and camaraderie (and occasional spats!} that unite all the Greenport Fire Department. Welcome to the Station!