The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This white leather frontpiece was made during the 19th century. The frontpiece has a black banner at the top and bottom with raised white leather letters that read “WILLIAM PENN / HOSE.” The center of the frontpiece has a red background with scalloped border, and the white leather number “18.” The William Penn Hose Company was located in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1830, it operated as a hose company until 1864, when it acquired a steam fire engine. It served as a hose and steam fire engine company until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. Because the frontpiece does not show that they were also a steam fire engine company, it’s likely to have been issued between 1830 and 1864.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This metal frontpiece was made during the 19th century. The frontpiece has two red-painted metal banners that read “ASST FOREMAN/HOSE” in brass lettering, with a large brass number “2” in the center. Metal frontpieces were often used in parades or special occasions, rather than in everyday use.
As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze. Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.
This silver plated trumpet was presented as a trophy to Thomas Mullen for winning a half-mile foot race during the late 19th century. The trumpet features a raised floral motif, with an engraved image of a hose reel on the bell. The trumpet has two rings that are strung with a braided orange cord with tassels. There is an inset cartouche with the inscription “Won by/ Thomas Mullen/ of Jackson Engine Co./ No. 4/ at the/ Olympic Circus/ Paterson, N.J./ 1/2 mile Foot Race/ Time 2 min. 38 sec.” Fire companies would often meet at community gatherings to compete in a variety of physical contests, including foot races in order to demonstrate their fitness as firefighters.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This metal plate was used by the Phoenix Fire Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the early 19th century. The Phoenix Fire Company was located on St. James Street in Philadelphia and operated from 1808 until 1821. The arched metal plate is engraved and filled with black enamel with the word “PHŒNIX” written in a shadowed font. Stylized sun designs surround the holes at either end of the plate.
This hand-sewn bucket, dated 1784, is painted with the image of two hands clasped in friendship, a common motif in the material culture of firefighting. The image of the handshake symbolizes the cooperation and community effort that were essential in early firefighting. In the eighteenth century, when this bucket was made, firefighting was the responsibility of all able-bodied members of the community. It was necessary for everyone to provide equipment and to participate in the bucket brigades. Engine companies worked side-by-side with ordinary citizens to extinguish a fire. Surrounding the image of the handshake is a circular chain, another symbol of cooperation and strength through unity. It is possible that this bucket belonged to the Hand-in-Hand Fire Company of Philadelphia. The Hand-in-Hand was founded in 1742, and its members included some of the important professional, civic, and religious leaders of the community.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This red leather frontpiece was probably made during the 20th century. The frontpiece has a white leather trim around the border, with raised white leather letters on a black banner that read “HOPE HOSE.” A black shield below the banner has a raised white leather number “1” in the center.
This bucket belonged to Samuel Kennedy, Jr., who lived in Salem, Massachusetts in the mid-nineteenth century. He was listed as a “captain” in the 1850 Salem city directory. Kennedy was most likely a member of the Naumkeag Fire Club, the fourteenth fire club formed in Salem. It was chartered in August 1832. In 1837, the town of Salem also received a Hunneman engine, which was named the Naumkeag #5. (Hunneman engines were named for their maker, William Hunneman, whose company manufactured some 750 engines between 1792 and 1883. ) The volunteer firefighters of Salem most likely chose to name a company and an engine “Naumkeag” because this was the town’s original Indian name. Salem was founded at the mouth of the Naumkeag River in 1626, and the “Christian name” of Salem was given to the town in the first half of the seventeenth century. Companies frequently chose names that had local significance and that would identify them as belonging to and serving a particular neighborhood or town. In Salem, calling a fire club “Naumkeag” connected the organization to the town’s long history, as well with the geography of the region, and thus helped to integrate the club into the community.
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 dates to the 19th century. The helmet has eight protective combs with an ivy-vine scrollwork pattern stamped into the brim. The helmet has a metal eagle’s head as a frontpiece holder, with a metal ring attached to the top of the helmet’s crown. The black leather frontpiece is missing a variety of letters, but originally read “ENGINEER/1/NEWTON.” The helmet originally belonged to Engine Co. 1 of Newton, Massachusetts, whose fire department organized in 1812.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This leather frontpiece was made during the late 19th century. The frontpiece has tan leather lettering on black banners that reads “PRESIDENT/CHARLESTOWN/VETERAN” with a red star under the word “PRESIDENT.” The word “VETERAN” indicates that the owner was likely the president of the Volunteer Veteran Fireman's Association of Charlestown, Massachusetts, founded in 1884.
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.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This black leather frontpiece was made during the 19th century. The frontpiece has a red banner at the top with raised white leather lettering that reads “HERCULES.” A small red leather star is above a large white number “3” in the center of the frontpiece. A cartouche with a green background is at the bottom of the frontpiece.
As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze. Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.
This silver plated trumpet was presented to George W. Erb of the New York City Fire Department during the second half of the 19th century. The horn is engraved with floral and foliage designs and features an oval cartouche with the inscription “Presented / to / Captain George W. Erb / by the / Ladies of St. Rose's Fair.” Two small fire hats with rings are attached to the shaft, which allowed a cord to be strung from the rings. Erb was promoted to the position of foreman and assigned to the Hook and Ladder Company No. 7 of the New York City Fire Department.
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 an unknown manufacturer during the 19th century. The helmet has eight protective combs, with an ivy-vine scrollwork pattern stamped around the brim. A metal eagle’s head serves as a frontpiece holder. The leather frontpiece has lost some of its letters, but it originally read “JEFFERSON/6/PJ.”
As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze. Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.
This brass trumpet was used by the Robert Morris Hose Company, who served in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1837 to 1871. The bell of the trumpet is silver plated and there are three silver bands around the trumpet’s shaft. Two rings are attached to the trumpet’s shaft to allow for a cord to be strung from the trumpet. An inscription on the trumpet reads “Robt. Morris H. Co. 1st line.” Robert Morris was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a major financier of the Revolutionary War. It was a matter of pride and rivalry amongst the engine companies to be the company that put “first water” on the fire. No doubt the phrase “1st line” is meant to spur the foreman to be the first hose company on the fire scene to attach their hose, also known as a line, to a hydrant and then to an engine, thereby enabling the engine company to put first water on the fire.