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 black overall, with a portrait of Benjamin Franklin painted inside a golden oval frame on the front. The portrait is flanked by red banners with gold trim that reads “FRANKLIN/HOSE COMPY” in gold. The back of the hat has the date “1838” painted in large gold numbers. The crown of the hat has the owner’s initials “J.S.” Franklin Hose Company No.28 was founded in Philadelphia in 1838, with its firehouse on Broad Street near Fitzwater. Benjamin Franklin was well known for organizing the first volunteer fire company in Philadelphia, and his image and his name were popular among the city’s fire companies. They acquired a steam fire engine in 1863. In 1867 they purchased the charter for the Harmony Engine Company No. 6 and changed their name. The newly christened Harmony Engine Company No. 6 operated as a hose and steam fire engine company until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established.
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 hat was used in the eastern United States during the first half of the 19th century. The hat is painted dark brown overall, with an image of a spread-winged eagle grasping an anchor in its claws. A banner arches over the eagle’s head that reads “Columbia.” The company’s initials “CEC” (Columbia Engine Company) are painted in gold calligraphic script on the back of the hat. The crown of the hat features the owner’s initials “S.H.R.” painted in gold inside a gold shield. The bald eagle was adopted by the Continental Congress as the national symbol of the United States in 1782. As a patriotic symbol of liberty and freedom, the eagle was a frequently used icon among early American volunteer fire departments. The anchor in the eagle’s claw represents hope and safety.
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 red overall, with a central image of a fountain with a statue of a woman and long-necked bird in an oval frame flanked by aqua-colored banners with the gold text “Fair Mount.” William Rush created this statue “Nymph and Bittern” to commemorate the completion of the Centre Square Water Works, providing Philadelphia with public water that was a boon to the city’s fire fighters. The back of the hat features an image of a yellow fire hydrant on a brown background inside a golden oval, flanked by the letters “FA” in gold. 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, of which Fairmount was a member. The Fairmount Fire Engine Company No. 32 was founded in 1823 and operated in the Spring Garden area of Philadelphia. Originally organized as a hand engine company, the company 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.
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 the eastern United States during the first half of the 19th century. The hat is painted black overall, with the text “HARMONY” arching over the image of a speaking trumpet, all painted in gold on the hat’s front. The painting on the back of the hat has deteriorated, but there are traces of a fire hydrant painted in gold with the text “WE [illegible] TO SERVE” arching above. The owner’s initials “C.P.S.” are painted in gold on the crown of the hat. A speaking trumpet, as seen on this hat, was a necessary tool to shout commands over the noise and disorder of a fire scene. The trumpets became well known as a symbol of authority, and continue to serve as rank insignia in fire departments. The fire hydrant, which is the symbol of the Fire Association of Philadelphia, suggests that the hat may have belonged to a member of the Harmony Engine Company No. 6. Founded in 1784, it operated as a hand engine 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 1867 the Franklin Hose Company No. 28 purchased its charter and operated as the Harmony Steam Fire Engine Company No. 6 until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established.
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 red overall with the text “HAND IN HAND” painted in gold, arching over an image of two hands clasped with a golden sunburst in the background. The back of the hat has the date “1741” painted in gold with a gold line on top and bottom. The crown of the hat has the text “Instituted / March 1st 1741” in gold arching above and below the owner’s initials “J.H.L” in the center. The “hand in hand” name and clasped hand symbol were popular among volunteer fire fighting companies and fire insurance companies during this period. It symbolized the mutual assistance needed to combat fires and the fraternal ties of fire companies prevalent in early American communities. This Hand in Hand Fire Company was founded March 1, 1741 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and located in the Dockward at the Fish Market and Drawbridge. Due to lack of interest the company was no longer in service by about 1816. The company was reformed in 1823 and operated as a hand engine company until 1863, when it acquired a steam fire engine. The Hand In Hand operated as a steam fire engine until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established.
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 hat was used in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the first half of the 19th century. The hat is painted black, with a painted image on the front of the hat depicting a spread-winged eagle in front of a sunburst gripping a red banner in its talon that reads “EAGLE HOSE COMPANY” painted in gold. The company’s initials “EHC” (Eagle Hose Company) are painted in gold calligraphic script on the back of the hat. The owner’s initials “JW” are encircled by a golden wreath on the crown of the hat. Founded in 1851 and incorporated in 1852, the Eagle Fire Hose Company (Penn District) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania operated until around 1855. The imagery on this hat is very similar to other fire hats in the collection—2005.0233.0029 and 2005.0233.0030—pointing to a common artist or local artistic style. The bald eagle was adopted by the Continental Congress as the national symbol of the United States in 1782. As a patriotic symbol of liberty and freedom, the eagle was a frequently used icon among early American volunteer fire departments.
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 fire engine panel came from the Franklin Engine Company No. 12 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was active as a hand engine company from 1792 until 1863 when it acquired a steam fire engine. It operated as a steam fire engine company until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. The painting “Franklin with Loaf of Bread” is attributed to David Rent Etter and dates to around 1830. The painting depicts the young Benjamin Franklin’s arrival in Philadelphia in 1723. As recounted in his autobiography, he mistakenly bought more bread than he could eat and gave the extra loaves to a poor woman and child. Benjamin Franklin was well known for organizing the first volunteer fire company in Philadelphia, and his image and his name were popular among the city’s fire companies. By invoking Franklin, volunteer firemen linked themselves to the progenitor of their trade, as well as someone who played a key role in the Revolution and securing America’s freedom. This painting and its companion piece (object 2005.0233.0307) would have adorned either side of the company’s 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 fire helmet was made by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York around 1883 until 1885. The helmet is composed of 16 combs, painted yellow, with an eagle frontpiece holder on the crown and a rear brim embossed with hose and hydrants. The leather frontpiece is painted gold with the text “ASSISTANT/ENGINEER” above an image of a spider-type hose carriage, with the initials “P.Z.” underneath. The initials stand for Peter Zeluff, an assistant engineer in Paterson, New Jersey during the late 19th century who owned the hat.
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 fire engine panel painting of Benjamin Franklin is attributed to the Franklin Engine Company No.12 from Philadelphia that was active from 1792 until 1863 when it acquired a steam fire engine. It operated as a steam fire engine company until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. The painting was completed around 1830 by an unknown artist. The painting depicts the popular story of Franklin’s kite experiment where he attempted to prove that lightning was an electrical force. Benjamin Franklin was well known for organizing the first volunteer fire company in Philadelphia, and his image and his name were popular among the city’s fire companies. By invoking Franklin, volunteer firemen linked themselves to the progenitor of their trade, as well as someone who played a key role in the American Revolution. This painting and its companion (2005.0233.0305) would have adorned either side of the company’s engine.
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 highly polished brass work trumpet was used around 1835. The trumpet has a rounded band in the center, as well as a band around the mouthpiece and bell.
Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire issued this fire mark for policy number 205 to Jonathan Zane of 46 Almond Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1753. The fire mark consists of the company’s symbol cast in lead depicting four hands clasped at the wrist fastened to a square pine board. The Philadelphia Contributionship was established in 1752, becoming the first successful fire insurance company in America. Benjamin Franklin was one of its founding members. The Contributionship began as a mutual insurance company and this concept is represented by its “Hand in Hand” fire mark. The Philadelphia Contributionship is still in operation. This square board is only one of two known surviving marks from the original run of at least two hundred and fifty square boards. Subsequent marks were on shield-shaped boards.
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 hat was used in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the first half of the 19th century. The hat is painted light blue, with an image of a spread-winged eagle in front of a sunburst gripping a red banner in its talons that reads “COLUMBIA HOSE COMPANY” in gold. The imagery on this hat is very similar to other fire hats in the collection—2005.0233.0029 and 2005.0233.0034—pointing to a common artist or local artistic style. The company’s initials “CHC” (Columbia Hose Company) are painted in gold calligraphic script on the back of the hat. The owner’s initials “J.M.I.” are painted in gold on the crown of the hat. The Columbia Hose Company No. 8 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was founded in 1806, on the block of 7th and Cherry Streets and operated until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. The bald eagle was adopted by the Continental Congress as the national symbol of the United States in 1782 and was a frequently used icon among early American volunteer fire departments.
This badge likely belonged to a member of Hose Company No. 4 located in Baldwin, New York. The badge takes the form of a twisted hose with nozzle in the shape of a figure 8, with a fire helmet at its start. The hose reads “BALDWIN HOSE 4” in raised letters. This badge was likely a decorative pin worn on a lapel.
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.”
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.”
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.