Fire Badge "Wiltwyck 1 K.F.D."
Fire Badge "Wiltwyck 1 K.F.D."
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- This badge belonged to a member of the Wiltwyck Hose Company No. 1 of Kingston, New York. The company took its name from the Wiltwyck Dutch settlement located in modern day Kingston, and began operating around 1860. The shield shaped metal badge is decorated with an engraved central image of a four wheeled hose carriage. The badge is engraved with the text “WILTWYCK/1/K.F.D.”
- Metal firefighter’s badges were a part of the firefighter’s uniform since volunteer companies began to proliferate in the early 19th century. As volunteer companies gave way to municipal fire departments during the mid–19th century, these badges became mandated by uniform codes. Badges served as official identification at fire scenes, as access to derelict buildings by unscrupulous citizens could result in looting. Fire badges came in a variety of shapes, most notably circular, shield–shaped, or the Maltese cross. While shield–shaped badges were often worn on the chest, circular and cross-shaped badges can be seen on jacket lapels or soft caps. Badges usually detailed the company’s name, number and department, and were often decorated with various symbols of the profession such as hose carriages, hand–pumped engines, hoses, trumpets, helmets, hooks, and ladders. For paid municipal companies, many badges also featured the badge number of the wearer.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- badge, fireman's
- date made
- late 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- place made
- United States
- associated place
- United States: New York, Kingston
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1 1/2 in x 1 in; 3.81 cm x 2.54 cm
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1360
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1360
- Credit Line
- Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
- See more items in
- Cultural and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
- Work
- Fire Badges
- Firefighting Collection
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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