Kensington Fire Company Fire Hat
Kensington Fire Company 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 was used in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the first half of the 19th century. The hat is painted brown overall with golden bands around the top and base. The front of the hat has the golden painted text that reads “KENSINGTON/1791.” There is an encircled number “1” on the back of the hat in gold paint. The crown of the hat bears the owner’s initials “J.F.” painted in gold. The Kensington Fire Company was founded in August of 1791 to serve the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company operated until 1855, when it refused to join the newly organized Philadelphia Fire Department, which, although volunteer, was under the administrative and financial control of the city.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- hat, fire
- date made
- 1810-1860
- maker
- unknown
- place made
- United States
- Physical Description
- painted (overall production method/technique)
- fabric, pressed felt (overall material)
- paint (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 6 1/4 in x 12 1/4 in x 12 1/4 in; 15.875 cm x 31.115 cm x 31.115 cm
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0066
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0066
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- Credit Line
- Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
- subject
- Fire Fighting
- Fraternal Associations
- See more items in
- Home 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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