This commemorative medal was made to celebrate an 1889 trip of the Monhagan Hose Company of Middletown, New York, to visit the Cataract Engine & Hose Company No. 1 of Goshen, New York. The medal seen in object 2005.0233.1587 commemorates a trip by the Cataract Engine & Hose Company to the Monhagan Hose Company in Morristown, suggesting the visits may have been an annual event. This badge consists of three horizontal metal cartouches hanging vertically, linked by chains, with a small gold tassel at the bottom. The cartouches read “MONHAGAN/CATARACT/GOSHEN 1889.”
Silver fireman's presentation trumpet engraved, "Presented to the Good Will Engine Co. By the Colored women of Phila.a as a token of their appreciation of their manly, heroic, and philanthropic efforts displayed upon various trying occasions in defence of the persons, rights and property of their oppressed fellow citizens." Marked "C. BARD & SON". Conical body, embossed and chased with floral spray designs, hexagonal, flared mouth. Engraved with a presentation and two semi-circular devices to attach cord for suspending the trumpet.
This badge (or medal) belonged to an attendee at the Pennsylvania State Firemen’s Celebration, likely during the early 20th century. The two-tiered badge has an upper plaque that reads “PENN STATE/OCT. 1-4” with a circular medal hanging from two chain links. This lower medal has a central image of a running fireman with trumpet in hand, wearing a red shirt, blue pants, and black helmet. Crossed ladders are on the left, with a crossed hook and axe on the right. The rim of the medal reads “FIREMENS CELEBRATION.” The circular badge is surrounded by a laurel wreath, and topped by a spread-winged eagle in enamel with the American flag under each wing.
This shield-shaped metal fire badge belonged to an inspector of a Pennsylvania-based fire insurance company. The inspector would be responsible for examining buildings and making sure they met the insurance company’s standards, as well as inspecting the damage post-fire. The rim of the badge is inscribed “FIRE/INSURANCE INSPECTOR” filled in with black enamel. The center of the circular badge bears the Pennsylvania state coat-of-arms, with a shield depicting ship under sail above, a plow in the middle, and three sheaves of grain below, crested at the top by an eagle, and supported by two horses. A banner below bears the state motto “LIBERTY/INDEPENDENCE/VIRTUE.”
This white metal fire badge departs from the common shield, circle, or Maltese-cross badge design in favor of a curved rectangular form. The decoration on the badge also differs from many of the other badges in the collection. The badge may in fact have been used as a helmet frontpiece rather than a badge, although it is somewhat smaller than most.
The badge has a central cartouche with a bronze-colored banner that is inscribed “FOREMAN,” filled with black enamel, above the bronze raised numeral “VI.” Fire plugs to the left and right of the badge’s lower portion have hoses that frame the badge and whose nozzles cross at the top of the badge. A hook and ladder are crossed at the bottom of the badge, while a crossed fireman’s lantern and axe are at the top of the badge.
This shield-shaped metal fire badge belonged to an inspector of a Pennsylvania-based fire insurance company. The inspector was responsible for examining buildings and making sure they met the insurance company’s standards, as well as inspecting the post-fire damage.
The rim of the badge is inscribed “FIRE/INSURANCE INSPECTOR,” filled in with black enamel. The center of the circular badge bears the Pennsylvania state coat-of-arms, with a shield depicting a ship under sail above, a plow in the middle, and three sheaves of grain below. The shield is crested at the top by an eagle and supported by two horses. A banner below bears the state motto “LIBERTY/INDEPENDENCE/VIRTUE.”
Fire fighter's boot, black rubber with yellow accents (band at the center, band along the bottom of the foot). Rough textile (wool) interior with two semi-circular pull straps at the top. White square at heel reads "10 MEN'S WIDE." Textured along bottom edge of the foot with heavy textured tread on bottom. Boot is covered with approximately eight circular stickers for the MDA campaign showing a young boy being carried by a fire fighter and the slogan "I HELPED FIRE FIGHTERS FIGHT MDA." There is also a card bent around the front of the shin and stuck on with stickers that shows the same image and reads "HELP FIRE FIGHTERS FIGHT MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY."
Throughout the 1900s, national fundraising efforts became annual traditions in communities throughout the United States. At street corners across the nation, the International Association of Fire Fighters’ Fill the Boot campaign has raised funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association since 1954.
Description
This firefighter’s boot is decorated with fundraising stickers for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. It was used by firefighters collecting donations for MDA in Fairfax County, Virginia.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association began in Chicago, Illinois in 1950, established by Paul Cohen and a community of people affected by the condition. Today, MDA helps to fund research into neuromuscular disease and treatments, supports medical database development, works to connect medical experts in the field, and advocates for and empowers members of the neuromuscular disease community.
The connection with firefighters developed a few years after MDA began. In 1954, members of Boston Firefighters Local 718 initiated a fundraising campaign for MDA, collecting donations in fire boots. This led to a partnership between MDA and the International Association of Fire Fighters that continues to the present day, with annual “Fill the Boot” campaigns across the country over Labor Day Weekend. As of 2024, the IAFF estimates its members have raised over 700 million dollars for MDA in the 70 years of their partnership.
This shield-shaped metal fire badge belonged to a member of the Hartford Veteran Volunteer Firemen’s Association of Hartford, Connecticut between 1890 and 1920. The badge is topped by a spread-winged eagle with a banner in its beak that reads “Org. Nov. 25, 1889.” The center of the badge features an image of Connecticut’s state seal, three grapevines over a banner with the Latin motto Qui Transtulit Sustinet (He who transplanted sustains). An upper banner is inscribed “HARTFORD VET. VOL.,” the lower banner is inscribed “FIRE MENS ASSOCIATION” and a plaque below is inscribed “CONN.”
The Hartford Veteran Volunteer Firemen’s Association was founded on November 25, 1889. Originally only for members of the old volunteer hand-engine companies, by 1893, the association let anyone with over five years of service join. The association had a building located at 27 Arch Street where they stored their hand engines that were used in parades and where they met for business and revelry.
This shield-shaped metal fire badge has a stippled brown background with raised brass text that reads “GOODWILL/746/H.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.
This badge belonged to a delegate from the South Bethlehem Fire Department to the Four-County Firemen’s Association convention at Lehigh University in 1912. The Four-County Firemen’s Association consisted of fire companies from Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, and North Hampton Counties in eastern Pennsylvania. The Association’s annual convention began in 1897, and continued into the 21st century. Conventions were held to foster camaraderie through a variety of competitions, share firefighting tips, and memorialize fallen comrades.
The badge is made of three sections, linked by chains. The upper section has a banner that reads “SO. BETLEHEM 1912” with a decoration of a fire hat and crossed fire axes. The middle section reads “DELEGATE” in raised lettering. The lower section bears an image of Lehigh University’s University Center building, with the text “LEHIGH UNI.” above and “FOUR COUNTY/FIREMENS/ASSOCIATION” below, all set inside a keystone-shaped frame. A banner reads “CARBON/LEHIGH” and “MONROE/NORTH-/HAMPTON” across the lower section.
This white metal fire badge departs from the common shield, circle, or Maltese-cross badge design in favor of a curved rectangular form. The decoration on the badge also differs from many of the other badges in the collection. The badge may in fact have been used as a helmet frontpiece rather than a badge, although it is somewhat smaller than most.
The badge has a central cartouche with a bronze-colored banner that is inscribed “ASSISTANT” filled with black enamel above the bronze raised numeral “VI.” Two fire plugs left and right of the badge’s lower portion have hoses that frame the badge and whose nozzles cross at the top of the badge. A hook and ladder are crossed at the bottom of the badge, while a crossed fireman’s lantern and axe are at the top of the badge.
This silver-colored metal fire badge has a faceted rim and a stippled background. The top of the badge bears the raised initials “C.F.D.” A bronze-colored raised number “1” is in the center of the badge, with a raised image of a ladder truck below.
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.
This metal fire badge has a spread–winged eagle at its top. The rim of the badge is inscribed "Pioneer/S.L.F.D." An image of a steam fire engine is in the center of the badge.
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.
In the early days of firefighting, insurance companies and fire departments worked together at a fire scene. Fire patrols were organized by insurance companies to patrol a neighborhood and report any fires that occurred, inspect buildings for fire hazards, and work with the fire department to prevent loss of life and property. Patrol wagons were equipped with rubber blankets to protect property from water damage, fire extinguishers, and buckets to squelch small fires, and would pump water from cellars and mop it up from roofs after the fire had been extinguished.
This metal shield-shaped fire badge belonged to a patrolman of the Fire Insurance Patrol of the City of Philadelphia. The badge is decorated with a small torch at the top and a plaque with floral decorations at the bottom. Upper and lower banners read “PHILADA / FIRE INSURANCE / PATROL” in raised letters. The center of the badge bears the raised white metal badge number “62.” The Fire Insurance Patrol operated from 1869 until 1962.
In the early days of firefighting, insurance companies and fire departments worked together at a fire scene. Fire patrols were organized by insurance companies to cover a neighborhood and report any fires that occurred, inspect buildings for fire hazards, and work with the fire department to prevent loss of life and property. Patrol wagons were equipped with rubber blankets to protect property from water damage, fire extinguishers, and buckets to squelch small fires, and would pump water from cellars and mop it up from roofs after the fire was extinguished.
This metal shield-shaped fire badge belonged to the president of the Fire Insurance Patrol of the City of Philadelphia. The badge is decorated with a small torch at the top and an unmarked plaque with floral decorations at the bottom. Upper and lower banners read “PRESIDENT / FIRE INSURANCE / PATROL” in raised letters. The center of the badge bears an image of a group of firemen in a horse-drawn cart on a patrol. The Fire Insurance Patrol operated from 1869 until 1962. The President was always held by an insurance company executive.
This shield-shaped metal badge is inscribed “C.F.D. /1” with the number “125” in a plaque at the top of the badge. The badge is decorated with an image of a hook and ladder truck.
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.
This silver-plated shield-shaped badge bears the engraved block lettering "Hose Reel / 5 / T.H." It was likely used by a member of a hose company during the late 19th century.
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.
This circular metal badge belonged to a member of the fire department of Plainfield, New Jersey. The badge’s rim is decorated with an encircled hose. The ridged background of the badge holds a raised inscription that reads “PLAINFIELD/24/FIRE DEPT.”
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.
This is an uninscribed circular metal fire badge. The badge has a rim that is made to resemble a riveted hose. The badge is decorated with a fire helmet at the top, a fire hydrant in the center, and two crossed hose nozzles at the bottom.
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.