This red ribbon badge was made by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey in 1894. The ribbon is decorated with a golden image of a steam fire engine pulled by two horses, and has golden tassels at its bottom. The ribbon reads “SEPT. 13, 1894./A. C. LANING/ NO. 2,/Steamer Company,/W-B. F. D.” in printed gold text.
Augustus C. Laning (1808–1875) was a prominent businessman in Wilkes-Barre as the owner of an iron foundry and a machine shop. Laning provided the city with its first steam fire engine in 1870, and when the city purchased its second engine in 1874, it was named the A. C. Laning. While the reason for this ribbon’s creation is not known, it is interesting to note that Augustus C. Laning’s grandson, also named Augustus C. Laning, was married one week later, September 20, 1894, in Wilkes-Barre.
The red ribbon badge belonged to a delegate to the 18th annual convention of the New Jersey Exempt Firemen’s Association in Englewood, New Jersey on May 18, 1904. While organizations for exempt firemen (those with five years of volunteer service) had existed in prior to 1889, an act of the New Jersey legislature in 1889 provided for the incorporation of local exempt associations and the formation of a state association of exempt firemen. It also established an annual state convention in May for which five delegates would be selected from each local association to represent their chapter in any voting matters.
This badge would have belonged to such a delegate. The ribbon has an upper pin behind a bronze-colored metal frame holding a paper insert that reads “DELEGATE” in black on a white background. A circular painted image depicts a fireman with trumpet, flanked by a hook and ladder cart and a steam engine in a bronze frame hanging from a blue ribbon anchored to the frame. The red ribbon reads “18th ANNUAL/CONVENTION/NEW JERSEY/EXEMPT FIREMEN’S/ASSOCIATION/ENGLEWOOD, N.J./MAY 18, 1904” in gold text.
This marker was used by the Franklin Fire Company of Chester, Pennsylvania. The company was founded on November 20, 1867 and incorporated February 22, 1869. Franklin was Chester's first fire company, located on Mary St. and Concord Ave. The marker consists of a round central portion whose rim is made of a hose, a crossed hook and ladder in the middle and a fire helmet flanked by a firefighter’s speaking trumpet and axe. A banner in the center bears the text “F CO 1.” The top arc reads “FRANKLIN” and the bottom arc “CHESTER PA.” The lack of holes for attachment to an engine points to this marker not being an engine plate, but rather a grave marker or flag holder.
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.
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.