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- Lithograph, "Grand Canal Celebration, Fire Department," November 4, 1825 - The Erie Canal connected the Hudson River and New York City with Lake Erie and the Upper Midwest. Its completion in 1825 was cause for grand celebrations up and down the canal's 363-mile length. This lithograph shows a fire department participating in a parade to commemorate the canal's opening.
- November 04, 1825
- Collections - Artifact
Lithograph, "Grand Canal Celebration, Fire Department," November 4, 1825
The Erie Canal connected the Hudson River and New York City with Lake Erie and the Upper Midwest. Its completion in 1825 was cause for grand celebrations up and down the canal's 363-mile length. This lithograph shows a fire department participating in a parade to commemorate the canal's opening.
- Postcard, "Chief's Auto, Waterbury Fire Dept.," 1912 - Fire departments, eager to eliminate the costs and complications of horses, were quick to adopt motor vehicles. In addition to motorized pumpers and trucks, many departments purchased automobiles for use by fire chiefs. With a car, a fire chief and staff could travel swiftly to the scene of a fire.
- February 28, 1912
- Collections - Artifact
Postcard, "Chief's Auto, Waterbury Fire Dept.," 1912
Fire departments, eager to eliminate the costs and complications of horses, were quick to adopt motor vehicles. In addition to motorized pumpers and trucks, many departments purchased automobiles for use by fire chiefs. With a car, a fire chief and staff could travel swiftly to the scene of a fire.
- W. E. Drew of the Alert Hose Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877 - This man, identified as W. E. Drew, was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
- 1877
- Collections - Artifact
W. E. Drew of the Alert Hose Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877
This man, identified as W. E. Drew, was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
- Henry Shaw of the Alert Hose Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877 - This man, identified as Henry Shaw, was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
- 1877
- Collections - Artifact
Henry Shaw of the Alert Hose Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877
This man, identified as Henry Shaw, was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
- Zip Hammond of the Alert Hose Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877 - This man, identified as "Zip" Hammond, was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
- 1877
- Collections - Artifact
Zip Hammond of the Alert Hose Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877
This man, identified as "Zip" Hammond, was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
- Thomas Shaw of the Alert Hose Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877 - This man, identified as Thomas Shaw, was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
- 1877
- Collections - Artifact
Thomas Shaw of the Alert Hose Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877
This man, identified as Thomas Shaw, was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
- Bandbox, circa 1835 - In the early 1800s, Americans used bandboxes to store clothing, accessories, and other small items. Bandboxes were handy containers in the home or when traveling by stage, boat, or rail. Manufacturers covered these inexpensive pasteboard or wooden boxes with colorful papers. This bandbox's paper depicts a scene of a New York City volunteer fire department using its new engine.
- circa 1835
- Collections - Artifact
Bandbox, circa 1835
In the early 1800s, Americans used bandboxes to store clothing, accessories, and other small items. Bandboxes were handy containers in the home or when traveling by stage, boat, or rail. Manufacturers covered these inexpensive pasteboard or wooden boxes with colorful papers. This bandbox's paper depicts a scene of a New York City volunteer fire department using its new engine.
- Fireman for the Alert Fire Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877 - This unidentified man was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
- 1877
- Collections - Artifact
Fireman for the Alert Fire Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877
This unidentified man was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
- Charles Gore of the Alert Hose Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877 - This man, identified as Charles Gore, was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
- 1877
- Collections - Artifact
Charles Gore of the Alert Hose Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877
This man, identified as Charles Gore, was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
- Louie Goulette of the Alert Hose Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877 - This man, identified as Louie Goulette, was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
- 1877
- Collections - Artifact
Louie Goulette of the Alert Hose Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877
This man, identified as Louie Goulette, was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.