Hartford Volunteer Veteran Fire Association uniform
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
John Shanahan
(1844 - 1913)
Date1890-1910
MediumWool, leather, metal, silk
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Clifford T. Alderman
Object number2016.63.35-.37
Description.35 Tunic. Red wool collared tunic with straight hem front and back, a front placket in the shape of a fireman's badge or shield, with shell buttons (two are missing). There are button holes only on the right side of the placket. The seams of the tunic are all flat-felled. The long sleeves have cuffs that are decorated with two shell buttons each. There are two belt loops, one on each side seam. Numerous moth holes have been repaired with cotton thread.
.36 Hat. Wool felt cap with a patent leather visor and front decorative band with two gold colored buttons with the letters F.D. on them, a tan leather sweat band inside the hat, and the words "Hartford / V.V.F.A." embroidered in metallic thread just below the crown. The hat is formed inside with slats of reeds from the opening of the hat to the crown, where a metal rod keeps the top of the cap round. The top of the inside of the hat covered in red wool, with a leather diamond-shaped patch marked with an eagle (?) and what appears to be the name Kramers, Inc. Also signed in ink on either side of the patch is the name John Shanahan. Two metal grommets are on each side of the hat near the crown.
.37 Belt. Black patent-leather belt edged in white leather in a scalloped design. The belt has been rolled for a long time and is very stiff so it cannot be easily unrolled. A medallion is cut into the patent leather, covered in red leather upon which are affixed but out letters in white spelling "HARTFORD. A wide band of leather wrapped around the belt near the holes that cinch the belt, is similarly decorated with a square hole cut into the belt, backed with red, with white cut-out letters spelling VFA.
The Hartford Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Association was founded in 1889. Originally it only took member of old volunteer hand-engine companies. By 1893, the association let anyone with over five years of service join. The association had a building located at 27 Arch Street where they stored their hand engines that were used in parades and where they met for business and revelry.
.36 Hat. Wool felt cap with a patent leather visor and front decorative band with two gold colored buttons with the letters F.D. on them, a tan leather sweat band inside the hat, and the words "Hartford / V.V.F.A." embroidered in metallic thread just below the crown. The hat is formed inside with slats of reeds from the opening of the hat to the crown, where a metal rod keeps the top of the cap round. The top of the inside of the hat covered in red wool, with a leather diamond-shaped patch marked with an eagle (?) and what appears to be the name Kramers, Inc. Also signed in ink on either side of the patch is the name John Shanahan. Two metal grommets are on each side of the hat near the crown.
.37 Belt. Black patent-leather belt edged in white leather in a scalloped design. The belt has been rolled for a long time and is very stiff so it cannot be easily unrolled. A medallion is cut into the patent leather, covered in red leather upon which are affixed but out letters in white spelling "HARTFORD. A wide band of leather wrapped around the belt near the holes that cinch the belt, is similarly decorated with a square hole cut into the belt, backed with red, with white cut-out letters spelling VFA.
The Hartford Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Association was founded in 1889. Originally it only took member of old volunteer hand-engine companies. By 1893, the association let anyone with over five years of service join. The association had a building located at 27 Arch Street where they stored their hand engines that were used in parades and where they met for business and revelry.
Status
Not on view
