Clothing & Accessories - Overview
Work, play, fashion, economic class, religious faith, even politics—all these aspects of American life and more are woven into clothing. The Museum cares for one of the nation's foremost collections of men's, women's, and children's garments and accessories—from wedding gowns and military uniforms to Halloween costumes and bathing suits.
The collections include work uniforms, academic gowns, clothing of presidents and first ladies, T-shirts bearing protest slogans, and a clean-room "bunny suit" from a manufacturer of computer microchips. Beyond garments, the collections encompass jewelry, handbags, hair dryers, dress forms, hatboxes, suitcases, salesmen's samples, and thousands of fashion prints, photographs, and original illustrations. The more than 30,000 artifacts here represent the changing appearance of Americans from the 1700s to the present day.
"Clothing & Accessories - Overview" showing 1 items.
Fire Helmet, "Assistance 8 F.M.K."
- Description
- The traditional American leather firefighter’s helmet with its distinctive long rear brim, frontpiece, and crest adornment was first developed around 1821-1836 in New York City. Henry T. Gratacap, a New York City luggage maker by trade, is often credited as the developer of this style of fire helmet. Gratacap created a specially treated leather helmet with a segmented “comb” design that led to unparalleled durability and strength. The elongated rear brim (also known as a duckbill or beavertail) and frontpiece were 19th century innovations that remain the most identifiable feature of firefighter’s helmets. The body of the helmet was primarily designed to deflect falling debris, the rear brim prevented water from running down firefighters’ backs, and their sturdy crowns could aid, if necessary, in breaking windows.
- This leather fire helmet was made by William H. Wilson of New York, New York in the mid-to-late 19th century. The frontpiece on this helmet was made by the Migeod Company. The black helmet has four combs painted gold and a metal eagle frontpiece holder mounted to the helmet’s crown. The frontpiece reads “Assistance/8/FMK.” The raised initials "F.M.K." likely identified the owner of the helmet.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- retailer
- John M. Migoed & Son
- manufacturer
- Wilson, William H.
- maker
- Migeod Company
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0139
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0139
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center