Cultures & Communities - Overview
Furniture, cooking wares, clothing, works of art, and many other kinds of artifacts are part of what knit people into communities and cultures. The Museum’s collections feature artifacts from European Americans, Latinos, Arab Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, African Americans, Gypsies, Jews, and Christians, both Catholics and Protestants. The objects range from ceramic face jugs made by enslaved African Americans in South Carolina to graduation robes and wedding gowns. The holdings also include artifacts associated with education, such as teaching equipment, textbooks, and two complete schoolrooms. Uniforms, insignia, and other objects represent a wide variety of civic and voluntary organizations, including youth and fraternal groups, scouting, police forces, and firefighters.
"Cultures & Communities - Overview" showing 893 items.
Page 81 of 90
Western Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company Fire Mark
- Description (Brief)
- Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
- The Western Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company of St. Louis, Missouri issued this iron fire mark in 1857. The oval mark features a central relief of two clasped hands, with raised text around the rim that reads “WESTERN/MUTUAL.” The Western Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company operated in St. Louis from 1857 to 1874.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1857
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0515
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0515
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
United Firemen’s Insurance Company Fire Mark
- Description (Brief)
- Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
- The United Firemen’s Insurance Company of Nashville, Tennessee issued this cast iron fire mark around 1852. The oval mark has flourishes at its top, bottom, and sides. There are raised letters at the top that reads “UFIC” and a raised image in the center of a fire plug with hose coming from the back to the front.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1852
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0536
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0536
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
United Firemen’s Insurance Company Fire Mark
- Description (Brief)
- Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
- The United Firemen’s Insurance Company of Nashville, Tennessee issued this cast iron fire mark around 1852. The oval mark has protruding flourishes at its top, bottom, and sides. There are raised letters at the top that reads “UFIC” and a raised image in the center of a fire plug with hose coming from the back to the front.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1852
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0537
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0537
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Washington Mutual Insurance Company Fire Mark
- Description (Brief)
- Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
- The Washington Mutual Insurance Company of Boston, Massachusetts issued this brass fire mark in 1844. The rectangular mark has a raised border with raised text in the center that reads “WASHINGTON/MUTUAL.” The Washington Mutual Insurance Company never commenced business.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1844
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0538
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0538
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Kenton Insurance Company Fire Mark
- Description (Brief)
- Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
- The Kenton Insurance Company of Covington, Kentucky issued this tinned sheet iron fire mark in 1867. The rectangular mark has a raised border with raised central text that reads “KENTON/KENTUCKY.” The company was originally incorporated as the City Fire and Marine of Louisville in 1860. In 1867 the charter was amended, and the name was changed to Kenton Insurance Company. Kenton operated until 1891, when it retired and reinsured in the National Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1867
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0539
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0539
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Kentucky and Louisville Mutual Fire Mark
- Description (Brief)
- Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
- The Kentucky and Louisville Mutual Insurance Company of Louisville, Kentucky issued this tinned sheet iron fire mark in 1840. The oval mark has “KY” inscribed in the center.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1840
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0540
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0540
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
United Life, Fire, and Marine Insurance Company
- Description (Brief)
- Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
- The United Life, Fire and Marine Insurance Company of Covington, Kentucky issued this tinned sheet iron fire mark between 1865 and 1871. The rectangular fire mark bears raised text that reads “UNITED/KY/INS.Co.” The United Life, Fire, and Marine Insurance Company operated from 1865 until around 1871.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1865-1871
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0541
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0541
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Mutual Assurance Company Fire Mark
- Description (Brief)
- Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
- This fire mark was issued by the Mutual Assurance Company of the City of New York. The fire mark has an oval upper portion that bears the text “MUTUAL ASSURANCE” painted in gold. The lower portion is rectangular and bears the policy number “3617” painted in gold. The border of the upper oval and lower rectangle has a golden trim. The Mutual Assurance Company originally operated as a mutual insurer from 1787 to 1809 when it became a stock insurance company. It operated until 1846, when its name was changed to the Knickerbocker Fire Insurance Company.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1787-1809
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0542
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0542
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Lorillard Fire Insurance Company Fire Mark
- Description (Brief)
- Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
- The Lorillard Fire Insurance Company of New York, New York issued this brass fire mark in 1852. The oval mark has a central image of lit torches crossed in the center. There is text at the top and bottom that reads “LORILLARD/NEW YORK” and a beaded ornamentation around the rim. The Lorillard Fire Insurance Company operated from 1852 until 1883, when it voluntarily liquidated and was reinsured by the Guardian of England.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1852
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0543
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0543
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Home Insurance Company Fire Mark
- Description (Brief)
- Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
- The Home Insurance Company of New Haven, Connecticut issued this cast iron fire mark from 1859 through 1871. The oval fire mark has a central raised image that shows the figure of a fireman alongside a fire engine and fire plug. The Home Insurance Company operated from 1859 until 1871.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1859-1871
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0544
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0544
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center