Howard Fire Company Fire Hat

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 the image of a rising sun and the word “HOWARD” painted in gold arching over the sunburst on the front of the hat. The back of the hat has the number “15” in large gold numbers with the motto “WE CONQUER TO SAVE” in gold arching above the number. A Howard Fire Company No. 15 operated in Baltimore, Maryland from 1830 until 1858 when the municipal department took over and the Number 1 Engine Company occupied the company’s fire house located on North Paca Street.

Date Made: 1810-1860

Associated: Howard Fire CompanyMaker: unknown

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States

Subject: SunburstFire FightingFraternal Associations

Subject:

See more items in: Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement, Cultures & Communities, Clothing & Accessories, Fire Hats, Work, Firefighting Collection, Art

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Related Publication: McCosker, M.J.. The Historical Collection of the Insurance Company of North America

Credit Line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 2005.0233.0064Catalog Number: 2005.0233.0064Accession Number: 2005.0233

Object Name: hat, fire

Physical Description: painted (overall production method/technique)fabric, pressed felt (overall material)paint (overall material)Measurements: overall: 5 in x 12 in x 13 in; 12.7 cm x 30.48 cm x 33.02 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-f665-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1318691

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