Fireman's Hall Museum

03/17/2021

Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the PFD and support the museum with your purchase. Challenge coin and patch are now available in our store!

09/11/2020

We honor the heroes of September 11th every day at the museum. Our 9/11 exhibit went on display in March, 2002. Today, we solemnly remember the 343 firefighters that made the ultimate sacrifice.

09/07/2020

Girard Fire and Marine Insurance Company
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1853 – 1956

Tinned sheet iron fire mark, referred to as “tin”; Bulau #226; 6 7/8” X 3 1/4”
From the Harold E. Gillingham Collection

The Girard Fire and Marine Insurance Company, whose building was on the Northeast corner of Seventh and Chestnut Streets, was one of fifteen Philadelphia fire insurance companies to issue a fire mark. The Girard’s mark was used outside Philadelphia in the Midwest where tin marks, known as house plates, predominated

08/29/2020

This week we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the We thought it appropriate to honor the history of

women. Learn about firehouse matrons and take a moment to read more about those serving, both past and present. https://bit.ly/3b3z1h2

08/03/2020

Pittsburgh Navigation and Fire Insurance Company

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

1832 – 1849



Cast iron fire mark; Bulau #122; 12 1/2” X 9”; 6.8 pounds

From the Harold E. Gillingham Collection



Originally the lettering and raised rim were gold. The only one of three Pittsburgh companies that issued fire marks to survive the Great Fire of 1845. The company wrote fire and marine insurance. As a marine insurer, the company issued a 5% insurance discount on steamboats that did not serve liquor.

06/30/2020

We are so excited to be partnering with Wawa once again for Wawa's annual Welcome America. We have a lineup of exciting activites, and informative videos. Follow this link to see what we have been up to: https://welcomeamerica.com/event/firemans-hall-museum/

Previous Next June 30th, 2020 | 9:00 am - 12:00 am Live from your living room. Join “Pershing’s Own” as we celebrate our Independence, together. Connect to the biggest screen in the house, as we bring a virtual, patrioti

05/21/2020

A throwback to our last golf outing! Unfortunately due to the global pandemic, we have postponed our annual golf outing. However, we couldn't resist sharing this gorgeous picture from last years outing. We hope it brings you as much joy as it brings us!

05/20/2020

Did you know that the history of fire fighters staffing ambulance services goes back to the Civil War? Members of the Southwark Hose Co. purchased an ambulance to transport wounded soldiers to hospitals. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2AJiRLU

05/18/2020

Firemen’s Insurance Company
Baltimore, Maryland
1825 – 1904
Cast iron fire mark

Originally owned and managed by the active and honorary volunteer firemen and the individual fire companies of Baltimore, the fire mark of the Firemen’s Insurance Company depicts a Philadelphia-style, double-decker end stroke hand engine used by the firemen in Baltimore at the time. This circular mark, whose engine was gold gilded, was one of the largest made in America and available to the policyholder for a one-time charge of $1.25 as long as the insurance was continued. If cancelled, the mark was returned to the company.

05/11/2020

Fire Department Insurance Company
Cincinnati, Ohio
1837 – ca 1848

In 1837 the volunteer firemen in Cincinnati organized a fire insurance company named the Fire Department Insurance Company. They issued a fire mark of which depicted a Philadelphia-style, double-decker end stroke hand engine. No doubt the fire mark was issued to advertise their new company which was in competition with the Firemen’s Insurance Company of Cincinnati.

05/04/2020

Baltimore Equitable Society

Baltimore, Maryland

1784 – Present

Fire mark: Cast iron, circa 1927



This is the fifth style of fire mark issued by the company and shows the clasped hands symbolizing mutuality and the year of organization. The company still issues these marks, now made of aluminum. The bright gold hands and numbers on a black background may be seen on many homes throughout the Baltimore area.

04/24/2020

Flashback Friday to when this building was Engine 7!!

04/21/2020

We've been asked to participate in . This is what we came up with! We hope you like it!!

Photo by Brian Kutner
Collage by Lisa Chatburn

04/06/2020

United Firemen’s Insurance Company

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1860 -1956 Cast iron fire mark with policy #3339; issued April 5, 1872

The Fire Association of Philadelphia managed an insurance company bearing the same name. Not all fire engine, hose and ladder companies were able to join the Association due to the prohibitive entrance fee. Also, non-members did not receive any monetary assistance from the Association even though they fought firesand protected the city as much as the member companies. Because of this disadvantage, the non-member companies on August 2, 1860 chartered a new company named the United Firemen’s Insurance Company of Philadelphia. This new company issued a fire mark depicting a steam fire engine which was the latest in technology in the fight against fire.

03/03/2020

On Thursday February 27th, we held a Black History Month Legacy Dedication celebration Black father daughter duos in the department! These are the celebrants!

10/22/2019

Did you miss us on October 5th? Don't worry, we will be having ANOTHER fire safety demonstration this Saturday, October 26th at 11:00am!!! We hope to see you there!

10/01/2019

Looking for something fun to do with your little ones this weekend? Join us for the first of our Fire Safety Series this Saturday, October 5th!

08/27/2019

Many thanks to Cargill and TGI Fridays for their generous donation to Fireman's Hall Museum!

08/08/2019

Today we remember Philadelphia Fire Department Hoseman John Anderson.

Firefighter Anderson died as a result of injuries suffered while battling a large fire in the Cardington section of Upper Darby Township, Delaware County in the early hours of August 8th, 1918.

Please keep Firefighter Anderson, his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers today.

07/23/2019

We are excited to have the Bates engine back in Fireman's Hall Museum! The engine was moved in yesterday, we had lots of helping hands. Visit the Museum to take a look at this Historic engine!

07/10/2019

FIreman's Hall Museum invites you to join in our first ever Memorial Motorcycle ride. The ride will take place on Saturday July 20, 2019. To register, follow this link: www.firemanshallmuseum.org/memorial-motorcycle-ride/

We look forward to seeing you

05/15/2019

Fireman's Hall Museum thanks PECO for their generous donation to our 13th annual golf outing!

Pictured Left to Right: Jose Aguirre, Eugene Janda, Deputy Chief Charles Johnson, Carol Smith, Edward Mcbride, Curator Brian Anderson, and Commissioner Adam Thiel!

04/09/2019

Our very own Bob Shea representing Fireman's Hall Museum at Philly I-Day

03/26/2019

Today is the funeral for Firefighter Michael Bernstein. Bernstein was found unconscious last Wednesday in the hallway of the firehouse to which he was assigned. The Cherry Hill fire department sent over a flower wreath in his honor. He and his family are in our thoughts on this incredibly difficult day.

12/12/2018

Join us this Saturday from 2:30-4:00 for photos with Santa!

11/07/2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Sktob7u0WY

Copyright 2018 www.PhillyFireFeed.com. All rights reserved. Any use without written consent is strictly prohibited.

10/12/2018

Join us tomorrow for a day of family fun!!!

10/10/2018

Congratulations to Firefighter Jason Marcinkiewicz on being awarded firefighter of the year!

09/25/2018

"Quick! What's the number for 9-1-1?"

This interactive exhibit teaches about when and how to call 911. Visit us at Fireman's Hall Museum to play along.

09/19/2018

Did you know that a brass plate is used to commemorate firefighters lost in the line of duty? Join us at Fireman's Hall Museum to witness this wonderful tradition, as well as the tools used to make it possible.

"When a Philadelphia firefighter was killed in the the line of duty, his comrades cut the coupling off the end of the hose that was used to extinguish the fire. The brass ring that held the end of the hose inside the coupling was removed and flattened. Next, they stamped the name, rank, company number and the firefighter's date of death and placed them on display. This tradition is continued today at Fireman's Hall Museum."

Photo by J.Fusco

08/01/2018

Philadelphia has many wonderful museums. We are sure there are a few that you enjoy, but how about exploring a few that you have never been to before. Tell us about your experiences. Enjoy!

07/26/2018

To place an order for "From Horses to Horsepower" visit our site for an order form https://t.co/zgJLg4mbJR
or purchase online at https://t.co/MqJKORtCxA

Looking for historical information about Philadelphia firefighters or fire stations, or other information about the Philadelphia Fire Department?

07/20/2018

"You're not seeing things. Philadelphia's identical firehouses are all over the city." https://t.co/6RJSTuOS0V

In the 1950s, Philadelphia built two dozen, nearly identical firehouses. Most are still standing.

07/10/2018

The Cherry Hill Fire Department sent a lovely flower tribute to Fireman's Hall Museum to honor the memory of Lieutenant Benny Hutchins on Wednesday June 27th 2018. Our condolences go out to his family.

06/29/2018

Join us tomorrow for a special Welcome America event! 10:00am-12:00pm at the museum. https://t.co/XFNzMA8l8M

Fireman's Hall Museum 147 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 Elfreth's Alley 124-126 Elfreth's Alley, Philadelphia, PA 19106

06/26/2018

Do you like games, scavenger hunts, and performances? Join firefighter Ben at Fireman's Hall Museum on Saturday June 30th from 10am-12:00pm for Welcome America. We would love to see you there!

06/20/2018

Fireman's Hall Museum 147 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 Elfreth's Alley 124-126 Elfreth's Alley, Philadelphia, PA 19106

06/20/2018

His journal detailed every shift of his 37-year career.

06/19/2018