Presentation Trumpet, "Norristown Hose Company"
date: label: date made
content: ca 1880
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 brass speaking trumpet was presented to the Norristown Hose Company by James Ernest of the Hope Engine Company. The trumpet has two rounded bands along its shaft. Decorative eagle’s heads hold rings in their beaks through which a braided brown cord is strung. A small shield shaped plaque in the center of the trumpet bears an inscription that reads “Pat Lyon / 1776 / Presented to the Norristown / Hose Co. No. 1 / By James Ernest / June 21 1880 / Hope Engine Co. No. 2 / Williamsport, Pa." The Norristown Hose Company was founded in 1848 and continues to operate in Norristown, Pennsylvania with both career and volunteer firefighters.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States
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: 2005.0233.0872
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.0872
objectType: label: Object Name
content: trumpet, speaking
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: brass (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 18 3/4 in x 7 1/4 in; 47.625 cm x 18.415 cm