Cultures & Communities

Cleveland Many Peoples One Language Poster

Furniture, cooking wares, clothing, works of art, and many other kinds of artifacts are part of what knit people into communities and cultures. The Museum’s collections feature artifacts from European Americans, Latinos, Arab Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, African Americans, Gypsies, Jews, and Christians, both Catholics and Protestants. The objects range from ceramic face jugs made by enslaved African Americans in South Carolina to graduation robes and wedding gowns. The holdings also include artifacts associated with education, such as teaching equipment, textbooks, and two complete schoolrooms. Uniforms, insignia, and other objects represent a wide variety of civic and voluntary organizations, including youth and fraternal groups, scouting, police forces, and firefighters.

Name: Washington, George

"Washington at the Battle of Trenton" Engine Panel Painting

In the nineteenth century, volunteer fire companies often commissioned paintings to decorate their hand-pumped fire engines for parades, competitions, and community events.
Description
In the nineteenth century, volunteer fire companies often commissioned paintings to decorate their hand-pumped fire engines for parades, competitions, and community events. Sometimes framed with elaborate carvings, they adorned the tall air chamber located at the middle or rear of a pumper. The paintings would often feature patriotic, heroic, or allegorical images to associate the volunteer companies with these lofty ideals.
This engine panel painting is attributed to the Washington Fire Company No.14 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was founded in 1796. Originally organized as a hand engine company, it acquired a steam fire engine in 1858 and operated as a steam fire engine company until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. John A. Woodside completed this oil painting in 1853, copying it from “George Washington Before the Battle of Trenton,” painted by John Trumbull in 1792. The painting depicts Washington surveying the battleground, with Continental troops in the background. The volunteer fire company named itself after Washington and commissioned the painting to link itself with Washington’s prestige America’s foremost Founding Father.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1853
referenced
Trumbull, John
Washington, George
maker
Woodside, John Archibald
ID Number
2005.0233.0309
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0309

Centennial Exposition Poster: In remembrance of the one hundredth anniversary of the independence of the United States

This patriotic lithograph poster of Centennial Exposition, Philadelphia, 1876 was supposedly commissioned by the United States Congress for the official celebration of the US Centennial.
Description
This patriotic lithograph poster of Centennial Exposition, Philadelphia, 1876 was supposedly commissioned by the United States Congress for the official celebration of the US Centennial. Depicted is a classically dressed female Liberty/Columbia figure in center, full length seated holding wreath of laurel leaves and wearing a phygian cap, surrounded by flags and stars, and at her feet is a large eagle holding a shield in its claws. The figure is surrounded by border of 18 oval bust portraits of presidents of the United States from Washington to Grant. Below the eagle in the center bottom of the image are oval bust portraits of the following six Revolutionary War heroes: Israel Putnam, Philip Schuyler, Horatio Gates, Nathaniel Greene, Benjamin Lincoln, and John Sullivan Above is birds-eye view of the exposition grounds and small oval vigettes of Independence Hall, Philadelphia (top left) , Bunker Hill Monument, Boston (top center) and Faneuil Hall, Boston (top right) . Below the center image is text and in the lower left below the date 1776, is a scene of a Revolutionary War battle labeled "The Struggle For Liberty." Below the 1876 date in the lower right is are side by side farm and city scenes labeled "Peace And Prosperity."
The Black and gray-green tint on tan-white lithograph was produced by George Stinson & Co. Publishers from Portland, Maine. The print was also issued in color.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1876
depicted (sitter)
Adams, John
Jefferson, Thomas
Madison, James
Monroe, James
Adams, John Quincy
Jackson, Andrew
Van Buren, Martin
Harrison, William Henry
Tyler, John
Polk, James K.
Taylor, Zachary
Fillmore, Millard
Pierce, Franklin
Buchanan, James
Lincoln, Abraham
Johnson, Andrew
Grant, Ulysses S.
Washington, George
Putnam, Israel
Gates, Horatio
Greene, Nathanael
Lincoln, Benjamin
publisher
George Stinson & Co.
ID Number
DL.65.1264
catalog number
65.1264
accession number
259581

Washington Fire Hat

Beginning in the late 18th century, some volunteer fire fighters began to wear hats painted with their company’s name to identify themselves at chaotic fire scenes.
Description
Beginning in the late 18th century, some volunteer fire fighters began to wear hats painted with their company’s name to identify themselves at chaotic fire scenes. During the 19th century, these fire hats became more ornate, as portraits of historical figures, patriotic scenes, allegorical images, or company icons were painted alongside the company’s name, motto, or founding date. Made of pressed felt, these “stove-pipe” hats were primarily used in Philadelphia, but other nearby cities such as Baltimore and Washington adopted them as well. Fire hats were personal items with the owner’s initials often painted on the top of the hat. While these hats were worn at fires, they are more colloquially known as “parade hats.” Fire companies commonly marched in the many parades of the period and these ornate hats contributed to the visual culture of their day. These distinguishing features in a company’s regalia often proclaimed the members’ cultural and political identity as well as their position on contested topics such as work, religion and immigration.
This fire hat dates to the first half of the 19th century. The hat is painted brown overall, with a portrait of George Washington painted inside a golden oval surrounded by green foliage. The text “Washington Co.” is arching above the portrait in gold paint. The back of the hat has the date “1820” in gold paint surrounded by a gold oval. The Washington Bucket Company was founded in 1820 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the company’s initials “W.B.” are on the top in gold block letters.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820s
associated
Washington Co.
depicted
Washington, George
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0094
catalog number
2005.0233.0094
accession number
2005.0233

Washington Fire Company Parade Hat

Beginning in the late 18th century, some volunteer fire fighters began to wear hats painted with their company’s name to identify themselves at chaotic fire scenes.
Description
Beginning in the late 18th century, some volunteer fire fighters began to wear hats painted with their company’s name to identify themselves at chaotic fire scenes. During the 19th century, these fire hats became more ornate, as portraits of historical figures, patriotic scenes, allegorical images, or company icons were painted alongside the company’s name, motto, or founding date. Made of pressed felt, these “stove-pipe” hats were primarily used in Philadelphia, but other nearby cities such as Baltimore and Washington adopted them as well. Fire hats were personal items with the owner’s initials often painted on the top of the hat. While these hats were worn at fires, they are more colloquially known as “parade hats.” Fire companies commonly marched in the many parades of the period and these ornate hats contributed to the visual culture of their day. These distinguishing features in a company’s regalia often proclaimed the members’ cultural and political identity as well as their position on contested topics such as work, religion and immigration.
Fire companies could not choose a better figure to represent their patriotism and self-sacrifice than George Washington. He was the most well-known figure of the Early Republic and was associated with all the positive qualities of the young country. Since so many companies chose to honor Washington in their imagery, it is difficult to know which company produced this fire hat. It is a particularly elaborate hat with Washington's image, with flags and banners flanking the portrait, and a drum and cannon included at the base. The back of the hat features a painted image of wooden fire hydrant in gold flanked by the initials “FA". This was the logo of the Fire Association of Philadelphia, founded by a group of eleven volunteer engine companies and five volunteer hose companies in 1817. Washington Fire Company No. 1 of the Frankford section of Philadelphia was a member of the Fire Association, so it is possible the hat belonged to one of the members of that company.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1810-1860
referenced
Washington Fire Company
depicted
Washington, George
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0095
catalog number
2005.0233.0095
accession number
2005.0233

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