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 129 items.
Page 1 of 13
Delaware Company Cape
- Description
- Some early American firefighters wore capes for protection, ornamentation, and identification. The stiff oil cloth protected their shoulders and upper body against fiery embers and water, and the decorative painting served to identify company members at chaotic fire scenes or on parade. The capes were often painted by local sign painters, some skilled artists like John A. Woodside, who also painted the company’s hats and banners and decorated their fire engines. Many of the capes in the firefighting collection display patriotic names and symbolism, reflecting themes important to 19th century volunteers, as well as the pride they felt in the early founding date of their fire company.
- This oil cloth cape is painted blue, with the company name “Delaware” in gold with black shading and the date "1821" in gold with red shading. The company number "4" is at each end of the cape in gold with black shading. The cape was most likely from the Delaware Fire Company based in Trenton, New Jersey, founded in 1821. The cords on this cape are still intact and show how these rather heavy capes would be tied around the fireman’s neck.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1840-1850
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0122
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0122
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Asst. Chief D.S.F."
- Description (Brief)
- 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 in the 19th century. The black helmet is comprised of eight combs with a floral design stamped into the brim. There is a metal lion frontpiece holder mounted on the crown. The leather frontpiece originally read “ASST/CHIEF/DFS,” but several of the letters are missing. The text surrounds a painted image of three crossed fire trumpets inside an orange circle.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0134
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0134
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Asst. Chief Engineer F. W. 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 Cairns & Brother of New York, New York around 1888. This helmet was likely presented to Frank W. King of Paterson, New Jersey after he finished his term as assistant chief engineer in 1888. The leather helmet is painted white and has sixty-four combs with a metal eagle frontpiece holder mounted on the crown. The brim has a stamped scrolled border, with two hydrants flanking a frontpiece-shaped brass plate in the rear that bears the engraving "Frank W. King, Ass't Chief Engineer, 1886-1888." The leather frontpiece bears the text “ASS’T CHIEF/ENGINEER/FWK” and a painted image of spider-type hose reel in the center. Frank W. King had been a member of the Hibernia Hose Co. No. 3 of Paterson and served as the company's secretary before his election to Assistant Chief Engineer, with its standard two years of service. He was a machinist by trade.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1888
- user
- King, Frank W.
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0135
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2205.0233.0135
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Asst. Chief Engineer S. S. P."
- 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 Cairns & Brother of New York, New York around 1886. This helmet was likely presented to Samuel S. Pounds of Paterson, New Jersey after he finished his term as assistant chief engineer in 1886.The leather helmet is painted white and has sixty-four combs with a metal eagle frontpiece holder mounted on the crown. The rear brim of this hat displays a stamped scrolled border, two embossed hexagonal hydrants with hoses, and an engraved plate that reads "presented" to "Samuel S. Pounds, Assistant Chief Engineer, P. F. D. 1884-1886." The leather frontpiece bears the text “ASS’T CHIEF/ENGINEER/S.S.P.” and a painted image of a Silsby steam pumper in the center. Samuel Pounds had been a member of the Lafayette Steam Fire Engine Company No. 8. He was a machinist by trade.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- late 19th century
- user
- Pounds, Samuel S.
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0136
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0136
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Asst. Chief Louis Brandt”
- 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 Cairns & Brother of New York, New York in the 1880’s. This helmet belonged to assistant engineer Louis Brandt of Paterson, New Jersey. The leather helmet is painted white and has sixty-four combs with a metal eagle frontpiece holder mounted on the crown. The rim of the helmet has an embossed scroll pattern. The back of the helmet has a stamped scrolled pattern with two embossed hexagonal hydrants with hoses, and a frontpiece-shaped metal plate that reads "Louis Brandt, Ass't Engineer."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- user
- Brandt, Louis
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0138
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0138
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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
Fire Helmet, "CANADAIGUA HOSE 3"
- 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 helmet is painted black, with eight combs and a metal eagle frontpiece holder mounted on the crown. The leather frontpiece reads “CANANDAIGUA/3/HOSE” in raised gold letters on a red background. The rear brim is painted with the date “1736” in gold and red and the underbrim has the initials “J.P./M.F.Co.37.” in gold.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- manufacturer
- Wilson, William H.
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0140
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0140
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Cataract Hose 1 M.F.D."
- 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 early-style leather helmet dates to approximately 1838. A marking on the interior identifies that it likely belonged to a “Cataract Hose 1” Company of the “M.F.D” fire department. The leather helmet has four combs. While many later helmets had a metal eagle frontpiece holder, this helmet has an eagle made of leather which is part of the front comb.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1838
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0141
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0141
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Columbia 5 A.H."
- 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 Cairns & Brother of New York, New York in the 19th century. The leather frontpiece was made by John M. Migeod & Son of Philadelphia and added to the helmet at a later date. The red helmet has eight combs with the date “1830” painted in gold on the rear brim. The frontpiece is white with the text “COLUMBIA/5/AH” in raised letters on the front. The initials “AH” likely were the initials of the helmet’s owner. This helmet is one of the few red hats within the CIGNA collection. While helmet color could identify a firefighter's company rank and apparatus assignment, it was also an outcome of personal preference or the fire department's financial ability and willingness to buy more expensive helmets.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- maker
- John M. Migoed & Son
- Cairns & Brother
- Migeod Company
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0142
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0142
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "CHIEF D.I.T."
- 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 white leather helmet was made around 1889. The helmet has 24 combs, a metal eagle frontpiece holder, and a rear brim embossed with an image of a hoses, hooks, ladders, lamps, and horns. A metal plate sits in the center of the image with the engraving “David I. Turnbull, appointed May 1, 1889.” The frontpiece reads “CHIEF/D.I.T.” with a painted central image of a fire trumpet with a helmet perched on top and a variety of firefighting tools crossed behind the trumpet. The helmet belonged to David I. Turnbull, who served as Chief Engineer in Paterson in 1877 and was appointed Chief Engineer by the Paterson aldermen, serving from May 1889 until May 1890.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1865
- user
- Turnbull, David I.
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0143
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0143
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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