Good Intent Fire Hat
Good Intent Fire Hat
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- Description
- Beginning in the late 18th century, some volunteer fire fighters began to wear hats painted with their company’s name to identify themselves at chaotic fire scenes. During the 19th century, these fire hats became more ornate, as portraits of historical figures, patriotic scenes, allegorical images, or company icons were painted alongside the company’s name, motto, or founding date. Made of pressed felt, these “stove-pipe” hats were primarily used in Philadelphia, but other nearby cities such as Baltimore and Washington adopted them as well. Fire hats were personal items with the owner’s initials often painted on the top of the hat. While these hats were worn at fires, they are more colloquially known as “parade hats.” Fire companies commonly marched in the many parades of the period and these ornate hats contributed to the visual culture of their day. These distinguishing features in a company’s regalia often proclaimed the members’ cultural and political identity as well as their position on contested topics such as work, religion and immigration.
- This fire hat dates to the first half of the 19th century. It is painted black overall, with golden decorative scrolls surrounding the text “GOOD INTENT” painted in gold over a golden sunburst. The back of the hat has the initials “F.A” painted in gold. The initials stand for 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 owner’s initials “W.H.F.” are painted in gold on the crown. The Good Intent Fire Company was formed in 1819 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and operated as a hand engine company until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- hat, fire
- date made
- 1820-1860
- maker
- unknown
- place made
- United States
- Physical Description
- paint (overall material)
- painted (overall production method/technique)
- fabric, pressed felt (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 5 1/2 in x 12 3/4 in x 13 3/4 in; 13.97 cm x 32.385 cm x 34.925 cm
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0107
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0107
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- Credit Line
- Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
- subject
- Sunburst
- Fire Fighting
- Fraternal Associations
- See more items in
- Cultural and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
- Cultures & Communities
- Clothing & Accessories
- Fire Hats
- Work
- Firefighting Collection
- Art
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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