Fire Engine Plate, "Franklin"

Description (Brief): At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.; This rectangular fire engine plate with scalloped edges features the deeply engraved text “Franklin” in the center. There are holes at both ends, showing where it was attached to the machine. “Built by” is engraved in smaller text above “Franklin” and “C.E. Hartshorn N.Y.” is engraved below. Charles E. Hartshorn built a variety of fire fighting apparatus in New York City during the mid-to-late 19th century.
Location: Currently not on view

See more items in: Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement; Work; Cultures & Communities; Firefighting Collection; Fire Engine Plates

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