Fire Bucket, "T. HYPWELL", 1800-1840

01

Artifact Overview

Many home and business owners in colonial and early America kept leather fire buckets in case of emergency. When a fire broke out in the community, owners tossed their buckets into the street, where firefighters and local citizens used them to carry water to put out the fire. Buckets decorated with names, initials and numbers helped owners identify their buckets after the fire had been extinguished.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Fire bucket

Date Made

1800-1840

Creator Notes

Most likely made in New England.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

30.1443.11

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Leather
Metal
Paint (Coating)

Color

Yellow (Color)
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 12.25 in
Diameter: 9 in

Inscriptions

T. HYPWELL No. 1
Fire Bucket, "T. HYPWELL", 1800-1840