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- 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.
- Fire Hat, circa 1890 - No piece of equipment symbolizes a firefighter's dangerous work like the fire helmet. Its hard shell protects from falling debris, and its oversized brim directs water away from the neck. Early helmets were made from leather, while later versions featured metal shells. Modern helmets use lightweight composite materials, but they retain the familiar shape.
- circa 1890
- Collections - Artifact
Fire Hat, circa 1890
No piece of equipment symbolizes a firefighter's dangerous work like the fire helmet. Its hard shell protects from falling debris, and its oversized brim directs water away from the neck. Early helmets were made from leather, while later versions featured metal shells. Modern helmets use lightweight composite materials, but they retain the familiar shape.
- 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.
- Model of a Firefighter's Water Tower, circa 1900 - Water is the primary tool for fighting most fires. Water vaporizes when it contacts fire, and that process robs the fire of oxygen. Vaporization also absorbs heat from the fire and from potential fuel sources. This model illustrates a mobile tower, from about 1900, that firefighters used to elevate their spray nozzles and direct water where it was needed most.
- circa 1900
- Collections - Artifact
Model of a Firefighter's Water Tower, circa 1900
Water is the primary tool for fighting most fires. Water vaporizes when it contacts fire, and that process robs the fire of oxygen. Vaporization also absorbs heat from the fire and from potential fuel sources. This model illustrates a mobile tower, from about 1900, that firefighters used to elevate their spray nozzles and direct water where it was needed most.
- Model of a Hand Pumper Fire Engine, circa 1900 - Mobile, hand-operated water pumps were first used to combat fires in the mid-17th century. Teams of firefighters pushed up and down on long bars -- called brakes -- to power the pump. This model represents a hand pumper from about 1900. Under ideal conditions, a full-sized engine like this might have pumped more than 75 gallons of water per minute.
- circa 1900
- Collections - Artifact
Model of a Hand Pumper Fire Engine, circa 1900
Mobile, hand-operated water pumps were first used to combat fires in the mid-17th century. Teams of firefighters pushed up and down on long bars -- called brakes -- to power the pump. This model represents a hand pumper from about 1900. Under ideal conditions, a full-sized engine like this might have pumped more than 75 gallons of water per minute.
- Barnicoat Fire Association Memorial Day Ribbon, 1889 - Memorial Day began soon after the Civil War as a time to remember U.S. military service members who sacrificed their lives for their country. The idea spread to community service organizations--like local fire associations--who observed memorial days to honor fallen members. Dates for these memorial days were usually set to avoid conflicting with the national observance.
- 1889
- Collections - Artifact
Barnicoat Fire Association Memorial Day Ribbon, 1889
Memorial Day began soon after the Civil War as a time to remember U.S. military service members who sacrificed their lives for their country. The idea spread to community service organizations--like local fire associations--who observed memorial days to honor fallen members. Dates for these memorial days were usually set to avoid conflicting with the national observance.
- Fire Bucket, 1803 - 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.
- 1803
- Collections - Artifact
Fire Bucket, 1803
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.
- Fire Bucket, Used by Levi Huntington, circa 1795 - 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.
- circa 1795
- Collections - Artifact
Fire Bucket, Used by Levi Huntington, circa 1795
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.