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.
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Union Cap
- Description
- This International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) cap, dates from around 1933.
- Date made
- ca 1920-1960
- ca 1933
- referenced
- International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
- ID Number
- 1986.0710.0037
- accession number
- 1986.0710
- catalog number
- 1986.0710.0037
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "America Hose”
- 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 for the American Hose Company Number 2. The black helmet is comprised of eight combs with a metal eagle frontpiece holder on the crown and an embossed rosette decoration around the brim. The leather frontpiece is wired to the hat, and reads “AMERICA/HOSE/2/ECK.” The initials “ECK” likely identified the owner of the helmet.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0133
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0133
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Mitchell IV Fire Co."
- 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 early 19th century. The leather helmet is painted black with eight combs and ivy vine scroll work around the helmet’s brim. The back of the helmet has the initials “FA” flanking a fire hydrant painted in gold. This was the logo of the Fire Association of Philadelphia, an insurance company founded by a group of eleven volunteer engine companies and five volunteer hose companies in 1817. The metal frontpiece holder is in the shape of a fox, and holds a black and red frontpiece that reads “MITCHELL/IV/FIRE CO” in white text. Mitchell Fire Company No. 4 was founded in 1874 by shoemakers who were located on Federal Street in Burlington, New Jersey. The frontpiece is not original to the helmet.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1825
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0171
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0171
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Moyamensing H & L Co. 1"
- 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 dates to the late 19th century. The eight comb helmet has been painted black and a metal eagle frontpiece holder is mounted onto the helmet’s crown. The black leather frontpiece has a gold number “1” with a crossed hook and ladder behind it on a red background. The top of the frontpiece reads “Moyamensing” and the bottom reads “H&L Co.” both in red. This helmet likely belonged to Chester, Pennsylvania’s Moyamensing Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, instituted in April of 1868 and incorporated in February of 1870.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0172
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0172
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Moyamensing 1"
- 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 1837, and has been paired with a leather frontpiece manufactured by John M. Migeod & Son. The helmet has a metal ring on its rear brim as well as a metal reinforcement band inside its crown. The frontpiece from “Moyamensing 1” bears a crossed hook and ladder and may belong to Chester, Pennsylvania’s Moyamensing Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, instituted in April of 1868 and incorporated in February of 1870. The word “JOKER” is painted at the bottom of the frontpiece.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- mid 19th century
- producer
- Migeod Company
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0173
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0173
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "W. I. N."
- 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 by Henry T. Gratacap of New York, New York around 1850. The helmet has eight combs and a metal frontpiece holder in the shape of a greyhound. A red felt sweatband with maker’s label is inside the crown. The helmet has an embossed floral design around the brim, and the date “1811” is painted in gold on the rear brim. The owner’s initials, “W.I.N.,” are painted in red on the rear brim’s underside.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1850
- maker
- Gratacap, Henry T.
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0174
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0174
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Newton 1"
- 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 late 19th century. This helmet is similar to the pith helmet, deviating from the style of the standard fire helmets with an elongated rear brim. The hat is painted black, with eight combs and a metal ring on top. There is an embossed vine design on the rear brim, and a metal lion frontpiece holder mounted to the crown. The black leather frontpiece has the number “1” in the center in white, with a red banner below that reads “NEWTON” in white.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0176
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0176
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "NIAGARA 5 / WE WILL TRY / NASHUA / O.M.F. 19"
- 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 in the mid-19th century and used in Nashua, New Hampshire by the Niagara Fire Company No. 5. The helmet has a yellow-painted frontpiece that features Niagara’s company motto “We Will Try” over “Niagara 5” in gold. The helmet is painted black with gold scroll designs around the crown, and the text “NASHUA” painted in gold on the rear brim. The helmet’s eagle frontpiece holder is leather and runs from the front to back of the helmet’s crown.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1860
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0177
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0177
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "Veteran / Philadelphia"
- 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 likely dates to the late 19th century. A metal eagle frontpiece holder is mounted to the crown of the helmet, holding a white frontpiece with a central painted image of a double-decker Philadelphia-style fire engine. The top of the frontpiece has a black banner with white lettering that originally read “VETERAN” and the bottom of the frontpiece has a black banner with white lettering that originally read “PHILADELPHIA.” The rear brim of the helmet has the golden letters “FA” flanking a gold image of a fire hydrant with attached hose. This was the logo of the Fire Association of Philadelphia, an insurance company founded by a group of eleven volunteer engine companies and five volunteer hose companies in 1817 that would have included the company of this helmet’s owner. The gold “V” on the back of the helmets crown signifies the veteran status of the wearer.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- late 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0178
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0178
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fire Helmet, "1 FD / SFD 4"
- 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 dates to the 19th century. The helmet has eight combs and an embossed foliage motif around the brim. The rear brim has “S.F.D. 4” painted in gold with a hook attached to the rear edge. There is a metal eagle frontpiece holder mounted to the crown of the helmet. The brown leather frontpiece has the number “1” in white in the center, with red banners at the top and bottom. The upper banner’s original text is unknown, but the lower banner reads “FD.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0179
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0179
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center