Fireman's Hall
Fireman's Hall
The Fireman's Hall is a great stop to make on your next visit to Philadelphia. This fascinating museum showcases the history of firefighting in America, from 1731 to the present day.
The exhibits are well presented and tell the history of firefighting. You will see the leather buckets for water, miniature engines, nozzles, fire marks from old houses, parade hats - those wonderful stiff hats that look as if they were made from tin, early fire insurance policies (read the fine print), medals for valor and bravery, and even a brass pole that goes from the third to the first floor, typical of those that firefighters slid down for generations.
There is a Spider Hose Reel on display that was made in 1804 and seen at the museum. The wood, the carving, the brass bells, the wrought-iron lantern in front, and the mirrors on each side of the reel, make this a work of early fire engine an elegant work of art. Because of the lack of quick communication in case of fire, in the 18th century, residents kept buckets by their front doors (you can see leather buckets today at the Todd House). By 1803, water from the Schuylkill River (on the west side of Philadelphia) was stored in wooden trunks to be used in case of fire.
There are many highlights of this tour, but some of the best include: a hand pumper said to be used by Ben Franklin, who founded the country's first volunteer fire company, and a stained-glass window depicting rescue efforts. There are a myriad of other artifacts on display such as axes, badges, ladders, and posters for fire safety and also volunteer recruitment posters.
