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.

Date: 1870s

Whaler Weathervane

Depicting a Whaler with a horn. Silhouetted figure in prone position. The figure has black shoes, green knickers, a yellow shirt with red trim at cuffs, and a black broad brimmed bowler hat. The figure's arm is bent at elbow to support the horn.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Depicting a Whaler with a horn. Silhouetted figure in prone position. The figure has black shoes, green knickers, a yellow shirt with red trim at cuffs, and a black broad brimmed bowler hat. The figure's arm is bent at elbow to support the horn.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1850-1875
ID Number
CL.65.0910
accession number
261195
catalog number
65.0910
collector/donor number
T-4

Henry G. Sellman's 1871 Improved Frame for School Desk and Seat Patent Model fragment

Henry G. Sellman from North Newburg, Michigan, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 114869 was issued on May 16, 1871.This model features an improved hinge that facilitates a seat that folds up and a desk on the back of the backrest that folds down.
Description
Henry G. Sellman from North Newburg, Michigan, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 114869 was issued on May 16, 1871.
This model features an improved hinge that facilitates a seat that folds up and a desk on the back of the backrest that folds down. The innovation would give more room between desks when necessary. The desk and seat combination was constructed of metal and wood but only the side support featuring the hinge remains.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1871
patent date
1871-05-16
associated date
1873
patentee
Sellman, Henry G.
transfer
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
inventor
Sellman, Henry G.
ID Number
CL.249602.590
catalog number
249602.590
accession number
249602
patent number
114,869

Hamilton S. McRae's 1867 School Desk and Seat Patent Model

Hamilton S. McRae from Muncie, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 72662 was issued on December 24, 1867.This desk has a convenient and easily operated book holder. The innovative book holder sits within the desktop with a lid on top.
Description
Hamilton S. McRae from Muncie, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 72662 was issued on December 24, 1867.
This desk has a convenient and easily operated book holder. The innovative book holder sits within the desktop with a lid on top. The lid could be lifted up to allow access to the book. There is a curved seat for support and comfort. The backrest is a flat front face with three vertical slats of wood. The back legs on the desk flare out.
Hamilton S. McRae was born on January 2, 1833 in Indiana. He served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent of schools. An advocate of educational reform, McRae espoused free kindergarten and free public libraries.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1867
patent date
1867-12-24
associated date
1870
patentee
McRae, Hamilton S.
transfer
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
inventor
McRae, Hamilton S.
ID Number
CL.249602.588
catalog number
249602.588
accession number
249602
patent number
72,662

Frederick Everhart McKinley's 1881 School Desk and Seat Patent Model

Frederick Everhart McKinley from Wellington, Kansas, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 246177 was issued on August 23, 1881.This desk is supported by a stationary bar that allows the desk to pivot.
Description
Frederick Everhart McKinley from Wellington, Kansas, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 246177 was issued on August 23, 1881.
This desk is supported by a stationary bar that allows the desk to pivot. Both desk and seat can fold up to save space when room is needed. The desk has a shelf, which is supported by two wooden brackets. The seat folds with the use of metal hinges. The desk is made up of unpolished slats of light colored wood.
Frederick Everhart McKinley was a carpenter born in 1850.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
patent date
1881-08-23
associated date
1876
patentee
McKinley, Frederick E.
transfer
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
inventor
McKinley, Frederick E.
ID Number
CL.249602.583
catalog number
249602.583
accession number
249602
patent number
246,177

George F. Perkins's 1871 School Seat Patent Model

George F. Perkins from San Francisco, California, received a U.S. patent for an improved reading desk. Patent no. 121810 was issued on December 12, 1871.This desk is entirely wooden and has pew-like supporters rather than traditional chair legs.
Description
George F. Perkins from San Francisco, California, received a U.S. patent for an improved reading desk. Patent no. 121810 was issued on December 12, 1871.
This desk is entirely wooden and has pew-like supporters rather than traditional chair legs. It was referred to as the “pendent reading desk” although there is no desk with this seat today. It was designed to be fastened to a chair or even a bedstead, and it stays in place with the help of a strap. There are armrests, and the top of the seat back has two arches as a design element. The support arches curve above the user's head. The shelf for reading is pictured holding a lamp as well. The patent model describes it as being “a very convenient apparatus for reading or writing with ease.” There are armrests and the top of the seat back has two arches as a design element.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1871
patent date
1871-12-12
patentee
Perkins, George F.
transfer
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
inventor
Perkins, George F.
ID Number
CL.65.0351
accession number
249602
catalog number
65.0351
patent number
121,810

Addison S. Vorse's 1870 School Desk and Seat Patent Model

Addison S. Vorse from Des Moines, Iowa, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk seat. Patent no. 104906 was issued on June 28, 1870.This school desk seat is designed to hold firmly in place and be folded up completely when not in use.
Description
Addison S. Vorse from Des Moines, Iowa, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk seat. Patent no. 104906 was issued on June 28, 1870.
This school desk seat is designed to hold firmly in place and be folded up completely when not in use. It is made out of wood with cast iron legs and feet. The desk behind the backrest slides up, then out. The ironwork on the desk has a Gothic design. There is a small shelf attached underneath the bottom of the desktop. When it is compact, the shelf is vertical and can still be used for storage.
Addison S. Vorse was born in 1821. Along with his brother, Norman, he manufactured and sold agricultural implements in Iowa.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1870
patent date
1870-06-28
transfer
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
patentee
Vorse, Addison S.
inventor
Vorse, Addison S.
ID Number
CL.65.0426
catalog number
65.0426
patent number
104,906
accession number
249602

John Long and Eugene Convers's 1871 School Desk and Seat Patent Model

John Long and Eugene Converse from Oswego, New York, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 117090 was issued on July 18, 1871.This patent features an adjustable tabletop. The desk sits on two shafts that feature groves.
Description
John Long and Eugene Converse from Oswego, New York, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 117090 was issued on July 18, 1871.
This patent features an adjustable tabletop. The desk sits on two shafts that feature groves. The desk can be raised and lowered as it locks into place with the groves. The model is made of unpolished dark wood and brass. The backrest and seat do not join so there is no lower back support. The attached desk folds down and the horseshoe-shaped brass legs are attached to the bottom of the seat. A silver plate on the desk has "John Long and Eugene Converse, Inventors" engraved on it.
In 1874, John Long was recorded as working with furniture, presumably as a carpenter or manufacturer.
In 1866, Eugene Converse was registered as a gunsmith, locksmith, and ornamental fence ironworker.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1871
patent date
1871-07-18
patentee
Long
Converse
transfer
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
inventor
Long, John
Convers, Eugene
ID Number
CL.65.0381
catalog number
65.0381
accession number
249602
patent number
117,090

Rowland K. Curtis' 1878 School Desk and Seat Patent Model

Rowland K. Curtis from Wabash, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 202934 was issued on April 30, 1878.This patent was designed to simplify the construction of school desks and increase their strength.
Description
Rowland K. Curtis from Wabash, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 202934 was issued on April 30, 1878.
This patent was designed to simplify the construction of school desks and increase their strength. The front legs of the desk follow the direction of the grain of the wood. Brackets support the seat and brace the legs at their junction. The legs are made of a single piece of wood, creating the necessary support. The desk is made out of glossed oak with cast iron hinges. The seat is slatted and folds to the backrest. There are iron supporters under the seat, and the feet are made of iron. There is a lid that lifts up to reveal a storage area. The writing surface has a circular cut out to represent an area for an inkwell.
Rowland K. Curtis was born in 1829. He worked at various building trades. In 1874 he was appointed superintendent of the Wabash School Furniture Company.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1878
patent date
1878-04-30
patentee
Curtis, Rowland K.
transfer
U.S. Patent Office
inventor
Curtis, Rowland K.
ID Number
CL.65.0406
catalog number
65.0406
accession number
249602
patent number
202,934

Ship Model, Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe

This model of a Chesapeake Bay log canoe was built in 1880 and displayed at the Great International Fisheries Exhibition in London in 1883. It shows a two-masted log canoe with a mustard-colored hull.
Description
This model of a Chesapeake Bay log canoe was built in 1880 and displayed at the Great International Fisheries Exhibition in London in 1883. It shows a two-masted log canoe with a mustard-colored hull. Although this model may look more like a recreational sailboat than a traditional paddling canoe, its roots can be traced back to the dugouts built and used by American Indians. Native Americans along the bay used dugouts, made by hollowing out a single tree trunk, to spear fish, gather oysters, and travel from one village to another. Europeans adopted the log-canoe technology shortly after arriving in the region in the early 1600s. By the start of the 18th century, colonists had modified the standard, single-log dugout, by hewing and shaping several logs and fitting them together to enlarge the craft. They added masts and sails, providing the means to travel farther and giving the vessels their distinctive appearance.
Despite the widespread use of frame-and-plank shipbuilding techniques around the Chesapeake, watermen continued building and using log canoes well into the 20th century. The canoes were ideal for oyster tonging in the many protected creeks and rivers that flow into the bay. This model includes a pair of hand tongs of the sort made by local blacksmiths for oystermen. A waterman would anchor his canoe over an oyster bed and lower the tongs into the water. With a scissoring motion, he would rake the tongs together until the iron basket was full and ready to be lifted onboard.
In terms of construction, the log canoe is the forerunner to the bugeye, which is essentially an enlarged canoe built of seven or nine logs with a full deck added over the hold. While log canoes are no longer used in commercial fishing, they can still be seen in special sailboat races on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake.
date made
1880
Date made
1875
ID Number
TR.25003
catalog number
025003
accession number
4586

1878 Caroline Granger's Prize Quilt Medal

The New England Agricultural Society medal was awarded to Mrs. Joseph (Caroline) Granger at the 1878 New England and Worcester Agricultural Fairs. One side of the bronze medal has animals with "New England Agricultural Society" around the edge.
Description
The New England Agricultural Society medal was awarded to Mrs. Joseph (Caroline) Granger at the 1878 New England and Worcester Agricultural Fairs. One side of the bronze medal has animals with "New England Agricultural Society" around the edge. The other side has; "AWARDED TO [inscribed] Mrs. Joseph Granger for the best Crib Quilt" also "WORCESTER MASS 1878". A certificate with the medal from the office of New England Agricultural Society, dated "Boston, November 1st, 1878" states: "This is to Certify, That Mrs. Joseph Granger Worcester Mass received a Bronze medal awarded at the New England and Worcester Agricultural Fairs, held in the City of Worcester, Mass. September, 1878, for the best Crib Quilt." Signed Daniel Needham, Secretary.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1878
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T16317.00B
catalog number
T16317.00B
accession number
302043

Hunting Buffalo

Shave Head, or O-uk-ste-uh (Cheyenne),drawn between 1875 and 1878 at Fort Marion, Florida“Hunting Buffalo”Collected by Richard Henry Pratt about 1878Colored pencil and colored inkShave Head uses a two-level drawing shows a buffalo hunt with four wounded animals, and a separate hu
Description
Shave Head, or O-uk-ste-uh (Cheyenne),
drawn between 1875 and 1878 at Fort Marion, Florida
“Hunting Buffalo”
Collected by Richard Henry Pratt about 1878
Colored pencil and colored ink
Shave Head uses a two-level drawing shows a buffalo hunt with four wounded animals, and a separate hunt and the wounding of an elk. The Cheyenne warriors wear full headdress and four of the five also wear their mountain lion bow and quiver, symbolically powerful pieces of hunting gear.
date made
ca 1875-1878
original artist
Shave Head
ID Number
2008.0175.57
accession number
2008.0175
catalog number
2008.0175.057

On the Lookout for Game

Koba, aka Wild Horse,drawn between 1875 and 1878 at Fort Marion, Florida"On the Lookout for Game"Collected by Richard Henry Pratt about 1878Colored pencil, ink, and watercolorThis illustration by Koba shows a band of Kiowa traveling to the right.
Description
Koba, aka Wild Horse,
drawn between 1875 and 1878 at Fort Marion, Florida
"On the Lookout for Game"
Collected by Richard Henry Pratt about 1878
Colored pencil, ink, and watercolor
This illustration by Koba shows a band of Kiowa traveling to the right. Both men and women carry various supplies, bow and quiver cases, rifles, and umbrellas (a popular trade item). The route of the band is imaged using dashes on the ground. A scout keeps a lookout on the highest hill. The Kiowa hunt on foot, in the old way, though they use both old and new weapons.
date made
ca 1875-1878
original artist
Koba
ID Number
2008.0175.58
accession number
2008.0175
catalog number
2008.0175.058

In Pursuit of Game

Shave Head, or O-uk-ste-uh (Cheyenne),drawn between 1875 and 1878 at Fort Marion, Florida“In Pursuit of Game”Collected by Richard Henry Pratt about 1878Pencil, colored pencil, ink and colored inkThis drawing shows two Cheyenne warriors hiding and hunting in a wooded area.
Description
Shave Head, or O-uk-ste-uh (Cheyenne),
drawn between 1875 and 1878 at Fort Marion, Florida
“In Pursuit of Game”
Collected by Richard Henry Pratt about 1878
Pencil, colored pencil, ink and colored ink
This drawing shows two Cheyenne warriors hiding and hunting in a wooded area. Buffalo, elk, a turkey, and a flying bird are present. One of the warriors points his rifle towards the elk and buffalo. The other warrior aims his arrow at the flying bird.
date made
ca 1875-1878
original artist
Shave Head
ID Number
2008.0175.55
accession number
2008.0175
catalog number
2008.0175.055

Engraved woodblock of "Huch'-nom tattooing"

This engraved woodblock of “Huch’-nom tattooing” was engraved by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1877 as Figure 14 (p.142) in an article by Stephen Powers (1840-1904) entitled “Tribes
Description
This engraved woodblock of “Huch’-nom tattooing” was engraved by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1877 as Figure 14 (p.142) in an article by Stephen Powers (1840-1904) entitled “Tribes of California” in Contributions to North American Ethnology v.3. Contributions was published by the U.S. Geographical and Geological Survey, a precursor to the Bureau of American Ethnology under the direction of John Wesley Powell (1834-1902).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1877
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
graphic artist
Nichols, H. H.
author
Powers, Stephen
ID Number
1980.0219.0363
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0363

Engraved woodblock of "Pa'ri-ats"

This engraved woodblock of an American Indian identified as “Pa’ri-ats” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published in 1875 as Figure 7 (p.17) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries.
Description
This engraved woodblock of an American Indian identified as “Pa’ri-ats” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published in 1875 as Figure 7 (p.17) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries. Explored in 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, under the direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution by John Wesley Powell (1834-1902). The illustration was engraved by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875ca 1875
ca 1875
1875
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
graphic artist
Nichols, H. H.
author
Powell, John Wesley
ID Number
1980.0219.1126
catalog number
1980.0219.1126
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of a “Fault with thrown beds flexed upward”

This engraved woodblock of a “Fault with thrown beds flexed upward” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1875 as Figure 71 (p.184) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries.
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Fault with thrown beds flexed upward” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1875 as Figure 71 (p.184) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries. Explored in 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, under the direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution by John Wesley Powell (1834-1902).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
1875
printer
Government Printing Office
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
author
Powell, John Wesley
ID Number
1980.0219.0101
catalog number
1980.0219.0101
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of an "Indian Village"

This engraved woodblock of an “Indian Village” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published in 1875 as Figure 43 (p.119) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries.
Description
This engraved woodblock of an “Indian Village” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published in 1875 as Figure 43 (p.119) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries. Explored in 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, under the direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution by John Wesley Powell (1834-1902). The illustration was drawn by Thomas Moran, and engraved by John Minton (fl. 1875).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
1875
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Powell, John Wesley
original artist
Moran, Thomas
graphic artist
Minton, John
block maker
V. W. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.1424
catalog number
1980.0219.1424
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of a "Woman pounding acorns"

This engraved woodblock of a “Woman pounding acorns” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1877 as Figure 42 (p.420) in an article by Stephen Powers (1840-1904) entitled “Tribes of California” in Contributions to North Amer
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Woman pounding acorns” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1877 as Figure 42 (p.420) in an article by Stephen Powers (1840-1904) entitled “Tribes of California” in Contributions to North American Ethnology v.3. Contributions was published by the U.S. Geographical and Geological Survey, a precursor to the Bureau of American Ethnology under the direction of John Wesley Powell (1834-1902).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1877
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Powers, Stephen
original artist
Chase, A. W.
ID Number
1980.0219.0288
catalog number
1980.0219.0288
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of a" Mai'-du girl, with ornaments"

This engraved woodblock of a “Mai’-du girl with ornaments” was engraved by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887); the print was published in 1877 by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Mai’-du girl with ornaments” was engraved by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887); the print was published in 1877 by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. as Figure 26 (p.304) in “Tribes of California” by Stephen Powers (1840-1904) for Contributions to North American Ethnology v.3. Contributions was published by the U.S. Geographical and Geological Survey, which was a precursor to the Bureau of American Ethnology under the direction of John Wesley Powell (1834-1902).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1877
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
graphic artist
Nichols, H. H.
author
Powers, Stephen
ID Number
1980.0219.0382
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0382

Engraved woodblock of "The Warrior and his Bride"

This engraved woodblock of “The Warrior and his Bride” was prepared by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1875 as Figure 15 (p.44) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and I
Description
This engraved woodblock of “The Warrior and his Bride” was prepared by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1875 as Figure 15 (p.44) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries. Explored in 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, under the direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution by John Wesley Powell (1834-1902).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
1875
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Powell, John Wesley
graphic artist
Nichols, H. H.
ID Number
1980.0219.0465
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0465

Engraved woodblock of "Captain John, a Ni'-shi-nam chief"

This engraved woodblock of “Captain John, a Ni’-shi-nam chief” was prepared by engraver Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1877 as Figure 27 (p.314) in an article by Stephen Powers (1840-1904) entitl
Description
This engraved woodblock of “Captain John, a Ni’-shi-nam chief” was prepared by engraver Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1877 as Figure 27 (p.314) in an article by Stephen Powers (1840-1904) entitled “Tribes of California” in Contributions to North American Ethnology v.3. Contributions was published by the U.S. Geographical and Geological Survey, a precursor to the Bureau of American Ethnology under the direction of John Wesley Powell (1834-1902). D. H. Bartle created the original image.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1877
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
graphic artist
Nichols, H. H.
author
Powers, Stephen
original artist
Bartle, D. H.
ID Number
1980.0219.0350
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0350

Engraved woodblock of a "Tobacco Pipe"

This engraved woodblock of a “Tobacco Pipe” was engraved, printed, and published in 1877 by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Tobacco Pipe” was engraved, printed, and published in 1877 by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. as part of Figure 43 (p.426) in “Tribes of California” by Stephen Powers (1840-1904), an article in the Contributions to North American Ethnology v.3. Contributions was published by the U.S. Geographical and Geological Survey, a precursor to the Bureau of American Ethnology under the direction of John Wesley Powell (1834-1902).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1877
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
maker
Chase, A. W.
author
Powers, Stephen
ID Number
1980.0219.0876
catalog number
1980.0219.0876
accession number
1980.0219

United Firemen's Insurance Company Fire Mark

Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number.
Description (Brief)
Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The United Firemen’s Insurance Company issued this fire mark in 1878. The oval cast iron mark features a central image of a steam-powered fire engine in relief, with a raised header text that reads “UNITED FIREMEN’S INS. CO.” It appears as if the engine and text were originally painted gold, which has subsequently worn off. The policy number “10659” is painted in gold at the bottom of the mark. The United Firemen's Insurance Company was incorporated in 1860 by a group of 28 engine and hose companies that were not part of the Fire Association of Philadelphia. Since the Fire Association did not pay dividends to companies that were not members, these twenty-eight companies formed the new United Firemen's Insurance Company of Philadelphia to profit from the insurance business. Steam fire engines were a new technology in 1860, and the UFI's use of a steamer on its fire mark shows a desire to be associated with the latest innovations in firefighting and prevention.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1878
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0453
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0453

Firemen's Insurance Company Fire Mark

Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number.
Description (Brief)
Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Firemen’s Insurance Company of New Orleans, Louisiana issued this fire mark around 1875. The Firemen’s Insurance fire mark consisted of a raised image of an early fire hydrant with hose attached, surrounded by the letters F.I. Co. in the center of a cast iron oval. This fire mark has been painted: the plug is red with gold stripes, the hose is black, the grass is green, and the letters are gold. This fire mark’s symbol is taken from the imagery associated with the Fire Association of Philadelphia. The Firemen’s Insurance Company of New Orleans operated from 1875 until 1898.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0473
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0473

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