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 317 items.
Page 5 of 32
Fire Helmet, "2355 / PFD / 59"
- 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 metal fire helmet was made by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York around 1950. This 20th century metal fire helmet features the hallmarks of Gratacap’s early 19th century leather helmet design including the protective combs, elongated rear brim, eagle frontpiece holder and leather frontpiece. The frontpiece holder features a painted design of the fireman’s cross, with a picture of a hook and ladder on the left side of the cross and the helmet on the right side of the cross. The leather frontpiece reads “2355/59/PFD.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 1950s
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0218
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0218
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "James Jenkin"
- 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 late 19th century. The black helmet has four prominent combs with a metal lion frontpiece holder mounted on the crown of the helmet. The helmet lacks a frontpiece, making attribution difficult. A paper label inside the helmet reads “James S. Jenkin’s Lehigh, Rainbow, and Eagle Vein Coal Depot, 9th and Wallace Sts., Philadelphia.” The hat is stamped with the initials “J.S. J. II” probably referring to James Jenkins.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- late 19th century-early 20th century
- manufacturer
- Wilson, William H.
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0219
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0219
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "16 OFS"
- 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, during the first half of the 20th century. The helmet has eight combs and is painted red overall, with an ivy-vine scroll pattern stamped around the brim. A metal frontpiece holder extends from the crown with a white leather frontpiece that reads “16/OFS.” The frontpiece has been reused, and the number "11" can be seen in faded stitching at the center.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- after 1920
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0220
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0220
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet
- 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 around 1870. The helmet has eight combs, and is painted dark blue overall. An ivy-vine design is stamped around the brim of the hat. The frontpiece holder is a small metal figuring depicting a fireman shouting into his speaking trumpet.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1870
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0221
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0221
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Citizen 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 black leather helmet dates to the 19th century. The hat has eight combs and is painted black overall. A metal eagle’s head mounted to the crown of the helmet serves as a frontpiece holder. The black leather frontpiece reads “CITIZEN/3”. An ivy-vine scroll pattern is stamped around the brim of the helmet, with the initials “U.F.I.” painted in gold with red shading on the rear brim. The United Firemen’s Insurance Company was organized by thirty-two fire and hose brigades in Philadelphia in 1860.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1836
- maker
- Julstone
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0222
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0222
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Western Hose SFE Co. 26"
- 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 manufactured by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York around 1860. The helmet has eight combs and is painted black overall. An ivy-vine scrollwork pattern is stamped around the brim of the hat. A metal eagle’s head is attached to the crown of the helmet to serve as a frontpiece holder. The leather frontpiece reads “WESTERN/HOSE/26/SFE Co”, but may not be original to the helmet. The Western Hose and Steam Fire Engine Company operated in Philadelphia in the 1860's.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1860
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0223
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0223
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Engineer / Newton"
- 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 helmet dates to the 19th century. The helmet has eight protective combs with an ivy-vine scrollwork pattern stamped into the brim. The helmet has a metal eagle’s head as a frontpiece holder, with a metal ring attached to the top of the helmet’s crown. The black leather frontpiece is missing a variety of letters, but originally read “ENGINEER/1/NEWTON.” The helmet originally belonged to Engine Co. 1 of Newton, Massachusetts, whose fire department organized in 1812.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0224
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0224
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Friendship / 15 / 1796"
- 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 helmet was manufactured by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York around the early 20th century. The helmet has eight combs with an ivy vine scrollwork pattern stamped into the brim of the helmet. The metal eagle’s head mounted on the crown of the helmet serves as a frontpiece holder for the gold leather frontpiece that reads “FRIENDSHIP/15/1796.” The Friendship Fire Company of Northern Liberties, Philadelphia was founded August 18, 1796.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1900
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0226
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0226
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Jefferson / 6 / PJ"
- 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 an unknown manufacturer during the 19th century. The helmet has eight protective combs, with an ivy-vine scrollwork pattern stamped around the brim. A metal eagle’s head serves as a frontpiece holder. The leather frontpiece has lost some of its letters, but it originally read “JEFFERSON/6/PJ.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0227
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0227
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Cheif Engineer C.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 leather helmet was made by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York in the late 19th century. The helmet is painted white overall, with 16 combs, the four main combs are painted gold. An ivy-vine scrollwork pattern is stamped around the brim of the helmet, and the edge of the helmet is painted gold. The rear brim has a design of crossed hooks and ladders surrounded by a hose and trumpets, with an inset metal frontpiece that bears the inscription “J. McNally by Senate H & L Co. 1, Sing Sing, July 1886.” A metal eagle’s head mounted to the crown of the helmet serves as a frontpiece holder. The crudely-rendered frontpiece reads “CHEIF (sic) ENGINEER/C.F.D.” with a painting of a goose neck, piano-style hand-pump engine in the center. The frontpiece may not be original to the helmet.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1886
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0228
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0228
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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