View showing members of the volunteer fire company gathering by their hand-powered Philadelphia-style fire engine (built 1843 by John Agnew) in front of their firehouse (built 1852) on Evelina Street between Second, Third, Walnut and Chestnut streets. The members, including company president Colonel James Page, wear their full regalia of hats, capes, and belts. Many of the men also carry horns and a hatchet. A few spectators informally watch the gathering. Women and couples peer from the windows of a neighboring building and boys sit on the brick wall of the courtyard attached to the fire house. The four-story firehouse is painted with a large "1" on the side and friezes are marked with the institution and incorporation dates, 1752 and 1840, respectively of the company. Also shows the company hose truck on the sidewalk and the station dog lying beside the ornately decorated engine. The engine contains painted details including eagles, angels, harps, and the figure of Liberty. On October 5, 1857, over one hundred regional volunteer fire companies participated in the Firemen's Parade that processed through Philadelphia with John F. Gibson as chief marshal. The parade honored the volunteers through the presentation of tokens of appreciation from their constituents, such as banners and horns, and a venue to celebrate the improved apparatus of the various companies., Manuscript note on recto: To Hist Soc from H.W. Smith., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 353, Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Bc 834 H 624, Parade described in The Press (October 7, 1857), p. 1.
Creator
Queen, James Fuller, 1820 or 21-1886, artist
Date
1857
Location
Historical Society of Pennsylvania HSP Bc 834 H 624
