BGuthrie Photos: DC -- Natl Museum of American History -- Exhibit: Always Ready: Firefighting in the 19th Century

DC -- Natl Museum of American History -- Exhibit: Always Ready: Firefighting in the 19th Century:

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Description of Pictures: Always Ready: Firefighting in the 19th Century
September 16, 2016 – TBD
Firefighting has always been a duty that depends upon the participation of the community. However, the role of citizens in fighting fire changed dramatically over the 19th century. Populations grew and buildings rose in size, posing new challenges as the threat from fire increased. This display includes objects that represent the technological innovations that helped meet these challenges and, in turn, changed the forms of firefighting. The display also includes objects that speak to the evolution of these forms, as citizen bucket brigades gave way to organized volunteer companies, which were eventually supplanted by paid municipal departments.

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Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. SIAHFI_160928_06.JPG: Always Ready: Fighting Fire in the 19th Century
2. SIAHFI_160928_12.JPG: 1800 In 1800, fighting fire is a duty shared by private citizens and growing numbers of volunteer fire associations. Simple fire engines are often communal property, and are filled by hand with buckets, requiring all members of the community to participate in the effort.
3. SIAHFI_160928_17.JPG: 1835 In 1835, fighting fire is a duty performed by well-organized volunteers. They elect members and incorporate fire companies, which become sources of community pride and political power. Innovations like leather hose and municipal water systems limit the need for public assistance at fires, where citizens are now spectators.
4. SIAHFI_160928_21.JPG: 1870 In 1870, fighting fire is a duty increasingly assumed by paid municipal departments. Nearly all cities replace volunteers with career firefighters employed by state or local government. New layers of organization, training, and regulation result in a more specialized profession, but volunteers still protect many smaller communities.
5. SIAHFI_160928_25.JPG: Steam Fire Engine Model, Alert Around 1875 The first practical steam fire engines were introduced in the 1850s, becoming more common as paid departments emerged. Drawn by horses, steamers required fewer, more specialized firefighters to maintain and operate.
6. SIAHFI_160928_36.JPG: Always Ready: In the 1800s, the citizens' role in fighting fire in their community was changing. Populations grew and buildings rose in size, posing new challenges as the threat from fire increased. Technological innovations helped meet these challenges and, in turn, changed the forms of firefighting. Citizen bucket brigades gave way to organized volunteer companies, which were eventually supplanted by paid municipal departments.
7. SIAHFI_160928_38.JPG: Ballot Box 1800s Prospective members petitioned fire companies for admission and officers balloted their ranks to approve -- or reject. This system could be employed to restrict membership along lines of class, race, and ethnicity.
8. SIAHFI_160928_40.JPG: Fire Warden Staff Late 1700s Fire wardens were appointed to inspect chimneys, maintain equipment, and help control fire scenes. They carried a staff topped with a carved wooden flame as the symbol of their authority.
9. SIAHFI_160928_43.JPG: Bed Key Around 1800 Salvaging property was a priority at a fire, and beds were valuable household possessions. Firefighters used this forged iron tool as a versatile wrench to quickly disassemble a bolted wooden bed frame.
10. SIAHFI_160928_45.JPG: Fire Badges Late 1800s As cities across the country instituted paid fire services, the new departments adopted standardized badges and uniforms. These emblems ensured regularity throughout the force and further distinguished firefighters at the scene of a blaze.
11. SIAHFI_160928_50.JPG: Fire Axe Early 1800s Axes were versatile fire tools for fighting fire, used to gain entry and pry away burning shutters. In addition, axes were often carried by volunteers in public parades and torch-lit processions. Speaking Trumpet Around 1835 Officers used speaking trumpets like this one to direct their company's efforts over the noise of a fire [???]. Companies often awarded elaborate silver versions as trophies or commemorative tokens.
12. SIAHFI_160928_53.JPG: Fire Hat, Phoenix Hose Company Around 1860 From the early 1800s, some volunteers created specialized companies that maintained and transported fire hose. Philadelphia hose companies, like the Phoenix, adopted decorated hats and capes as part of their uniform.
13. SIAHFI_160928_56.JPG: Fire Engine Model, Eagle No. 3 1800s Developed in the late-18th-century Philadelphia, this style of engine was filled at the sides with buckets. Teams of firefighters took turns pumping while others directed water through the long nozzle above.
14. SIAHFI_160928_61.JPG: Fire Bucket, A. Davenport Around 1811 Property owners were often legally required to keep good leather buckets on hand for use by the community in the event of a fire. Citizens personalized their buckets to ensure their return. Fire Bucket, James Bailey Around 1830 Men, women, and even children formed bucket brigades to draw water from the closest source. Full buckets were handed up the line to fill engines; empty buckets were returned to be filled again.
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