Presentation Trumpet, "Fire Dept. Guard of Paterson, NJ"
date: label: date made
content: ca 1881
name: label: maker
content: unknown
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze. Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.
label: Description (Brief)
content: This silver plated trumpet was presented to the Passaic Steam Fire Engine Company of Paterson, New Jersey by Archie Graham in 1881. The trophy in engraved with a general floral motif. The upper section features an engraving of a fire helmet with several spears behind it, surrounded by a floral garland. The bell has an engraved image of a steam-powered fire engine and a hook and ladder truck. The center section has an inscription framed in an oval cartouche that reads “Presented by/ Archie Graham/ Competed for by/ Fire Dept. Guard/ of Paterson, N.J./ Won by/ Passaic S.F.E. Co. No. 1/ Nov. 24th 1881/ TEAM/ Henry Schoonmaker/ Michael Carney/ Robert Downie/ Thomas McLean.” The Passaic Fire Engine Company was founded on July 4th, 1815 and was named after the river than runs through Paterson.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States
label: Associated Place
content: United States: New Jersey, Paterson
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
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content: Cultures & Communities
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content: Work
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content: Firefighting Collection
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content: Speaking Trumpets
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2005.0233.0851
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.0851
objectType: label: Object Name
content: trumpet, speaking
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: silver plated (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 21 1/2 in x 9 1/2 in; 54.61 cm x 24.13 cm