Some early American firefighters wore capes for protection, ornamentation, and identification. The stiff oil cloth protected their shoulders and upper body against fiery embers and water, and the decorative painting served to identify company members at chaotic fire scenes or on parade. The capes were often painted by local sign painters, some skilled artists like John A. Woodside, who also painted the company’s hats and banners and decorated their fire engines. Many of the capes in the firefighting collection display patriotic names and symbolism, reflecting themes important to 19th century volunteers, as well as the pride they felt in the early founding date of their fire company.
This oil cloth cape is painted with equal sections of red, white and blue. The cape has the name “LAFAYETTE” painted in gold in the center of the cape, with the letters “L” on one end and “H” on the other. These initials likely stand for Lafayette Hose Company No. 22, founded in Philadelphia in 1831 and operated until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. The red, white, and blue coloring on the cape displayed the company’s patriotism, as did its name, which celebrated the Major General Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, a hero of the Revolutionary War. Lafayette returned in 1824 on a celebrated tour, and was feted in Philadelphia and other American cities. Attesting to his continuing popularity among Americans, the hose company took his name nearly a decade later.
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 Cairns & Brother of New York, New York in the 19th century. The leather frontpiece was made by John M. Migeod & Son of Philadelphia and added to the helmet at a later date. The red helmet has eight combs with the date “1830” painted in gold on the rear brim. The frontpiece is white with the text “COLUMBIA/5/AH” in raised letters on the front. The initials “AH” likely were the initials of the helmet’s owner. This helmet is one of the few red hats within the CIGNA collection. While helmet color could identify a firefighter's company rank and apparatus assignment, it was also an outcome of personal preference or the fire department's financial ability and willingness to buy more expensive helmets.
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 Cairns & Brother of New York, New York around 1886. This helmet was likely presented to Samuel S. Pounds of Paterson, New Jersey after he finished his term as assistant chief engineer in 1886.The leather helmet is painted white and has sixty-four combs with a metal eagle frontpiece holder mounted on the crown. The rear brim of this hat displays a stamped scrolled border, two embossed hexagonal hydrants with hoses, and an engraved plate that reads "presented" to "Samuel S. Pounds, Assistant Chief Engineer, P. F. D. 1884-1886." The leather frontpiece bears the text “ASS’T CHIEF/ENGINEER/S.S.P.” and a painted image of a Silsby steam pumper in the center. Samuel Pounds had been a member of the Lafayette Steam Fire Engine Company No. 8. He was a machinist by trade.
In the nineteenth century, volunteer fire companies often commissioned paintings to decorate their hand-pumped fire engines for parades, competitions, and community events. Sometimes framed with elaborate carvings, they adorned the tall air chamber located at the middle or rear of a pumper. The paintings would often feature patriotic, heroic, or allegorical images to associate the volunteer companies with these lofty ideals.
This Angel Holding Trumpet panel painting was made by an unknown artist in the late 19th century. The character could possibly be a personification of Fame, celebrating the triumphing of the fire company.
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 in the 19th century. The frontpiece has two dark brown banners at the top with raised brown leather lettering that reads “RED JACKET/HOSE” but the “C” is missing. A large recessed white number “1” is in the center of the frontpiece, and there is a cartouche at the bottom with a raised white leather letter “H.” Two other initials originally preceded the “H” but are now missing. The Red Jacket Hose Company took its name from the red jackets its members wore during service, which was a popular style employed by companies in Boston, Philadelphia, Illinois, and Iowa.
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 in the 19th century. The frontpiece likely was once white but is now cracked and light brown in color. The frontpiece has a dark brown banner at the top and bottom with light brown raised leather lettering that reads “PHOENIX/ENGINE.” A dark brown recessed number “8” is in the center of the frontpiece.
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 Columbia Hose Company No. 8 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in1806, the company operated until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. This rectangular plate with scalloped corners bears the text “COLUMBIA” in black block shadowed letters. The initials “R A” are inscribed in script below “Columbia.” The sides of the plate have holes with bolts in them, showing where the plate would be attached to the engine.
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 worn by a member of the Assistance Steam Fire Engine Company No.8 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1789 as a hand engine company, it acquired a steam fire engine in 1860. The Assistance Steam Fire Engine Company No.8 operated until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. It was made by William H. Wilson of New York, New York in the mid-to-late 19th century. The frontpiece on this helmet was made by the Migeod Company. The black helmet has four combs painted gold and a metal eagle frontpiece holder mounted to the helmet’s crown. The frontpiece reads “Assistance / 8 / FMK.” The raised initials "F.M.K." likely identified the owner of the helmet.
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 John M. Migeod & Son of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the mid-19th century. The brown leather helmet has eight combs that are painted gold, and a metal fox frontpiece holder mounted on the crown. The leather around the rim has peeled away leaving the reinforced metal wire exposed. The white frontpiece has decorative stitching around the outer part of the frontpiece, the white number “3” in the center of a red background, a red banner at the top that reads “RESOLUTION” and a black banner at the bottom that reads “HOSE” in pale white leather. Founded in 1804 as the Resolution Hose Company No. 3, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it operated as a hose company 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. In 1865 it was admitted into the Philadelphia Fire Department and acquired a steam fire engine in 1869. It operated as the Resolution Hose and Steam Fire Engine Company No.3 until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established.
Some early American firefighters wore capes for protection, ornamentation, and identification. The stiff oil cloth protected their shoulders and upper body against fiery embers and water, and the decorative painting served to identify company members at chaotic fire scenes or on parade. The capes were often painted by local sign painters, some skilled artists like John A. Woodside, who also painted the company’s hats and banners and decorated their fire engines. Many of the capes in the firefighting collection display patriotic names and symbolism, reflecting themes important to 19th century volunteers, as well as the pride they felt in the early founding date of their fire company.
This oil cloth cape is painted red with the company name “FAIRMOUNT” written in gold. The letters “F’” and “A” are painted on each shoulder. A gold-painted image of a fire hydrant with protruding hose is flanked by the initials “FA” in the center of the cape. This was the logo of the Fire Association of Philadelphia, an insurance company founded by a group of eleven volunteer engine companies and five volunteer hose companies in 1817. Fairmount Fire Engine Company No. 32, organized in 1823, was a member. Originally organized as a hand engine company, the Fairmount Fire Engine Company No. 32 acquired a steam fire engine in 1860 and operated as a steam fire engine company until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. It was named for the Fairmount Water Works of Philadelphia, the first municipal water system in the US and a boon to volunteer firefighters.