OTHER MEMORABILIA

Prints

December 14, 1871: "The Town Clock" Fire: First Reformed Church, Old Post Office, several stores and residences Wood cut print on linen - Ar fire scene is Eagle H&L Company 1 and Washington Fire Engine Company 3 steamer

Courtesy Jim Eifler

Apparatus Nameplate

Drawing of the Foreman of Cataract Hose Company 2 (John Dempsey)

Passaic County Historical Society Collection

Vigilant Engine Company 6 was located at 304 Market Street (very near Straight Street)

Presentation Vase

This incredible, large (over 2 feet tall), silver plated vase was created by the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1899. The trophy has a plaque on its ebony base with the inscription “Presented to the Association of Exempt Firemen of Paterson, New Jersey, by the Liberty Fire Co. No. 5 of Reading, Pennsylvania.” The word "Victory" is incorporated into the design of the lid beneath a spread-winged eagle.

The cup was presented to the Paterson Exempts by a small delegation of the Liberty Fire Company on September 2, 1899. It was given to commemorate a visit to Paterson by the entire Reading company in March of that year, when the Exempts served as hosts. Such fraternal visits between fire companies and veterans groups were a common practice in 19th century fire service.

"Victory" is incorporated into the design of the lid beneath a spread-winged eagle.

Life-size Wooden Fireman Statue

New York City Volunteer Chief Harry Howard, Chief Engineer from 1857-1860. (FASNY Museum of Firefighting)

Paterson Exempt Fireman's Home with the Statue on its Porch roof.

The Paterson Exempt Association Home at Ward and Clark Streets housed many items of memorabilia but the most special and valuable was the life-size statue, circa 1857, of famous New York City Volunteer Chief Harry Howard, their most beloved Chief Engineer from 1857-1860.

The polychrome painted and carved wood statue (100 x 66 x 44 inches) originally stood on the roof of the building erected for the Harry Howard Hose Company at 115 Christopher Street around 1853. Upon the disbanding of the company in 1865, the statue was presented to Neptune Engine Company No. 2 of Paterson, New Jersey, and later passed into the possession of the Protection Engine Company No. 5 and the Paterson Exempt Firemen's Association who positioned as seen above on the porch roof of the Ward and Clark Street home. It was acquired by folk art collector Elie Nadelman in 1936.

It us now in the possession of the NY Historical Society who describe it as a polychrome carved wooden sculpture of male figure in fireman's uniform and hat; left arm raised with finger pointed, right hand holding holds speaking horn; on square pedestal. The sculpture is fashioned from primarily one piece of wood with additions in multiple pieces for the arms, horn, left foot, drapes and pockets of the coat, helmet, medallion, and base. The wood has been carved and painted, there are multiple layers (5-6) of paint, and a coating layer that covers portions of the sculpture.

June 15, 1875 Press

June 17, 1875 Press

From a 1902 Morning Call series on history of Peterson

Civil War Swords

Many of the Volunteer Firemen fought for the Union during the Civil war. Here is a sword and scabbard, the upper tip of which is inscribed: from the men of protection Engine Company 5 to Chief Peter Fields (1862)

Below is another presentation sword: given to Lieutenant Charles H Cundell of
Co. G 5th Regiment NY Artillery by Eagle Hook and Ladder Co. 1
Cundell was the first "elected by firemen" Chief Engineer of Department in 1840 and 1841.

Courtesy Jim Eifler

As seen in the Schiffer Book Firefighting Antiques and Memorabilia by James and Sandra Piatti

Presentation Clock

A beautiful clock was presented to Orange-town Engine Company #1 by Passaic Engine Company #1 (Paterson) on October 13, 1886. Research revealed it was presented to, and the Fire Company have the clock front and center in it's museum display at the firehouse along with tons of other Nyack memorabilia.

The clock is beautifully displayed and can be seen from inside their main room and from the street. They have their first apparatus up on a pedestal and right below, dead center, is the clock presented to them by the Passaic Engine Company One.

The clock appears to be missing the bronze fireman statue and two ornamental pieces mentioned in the article, but it's in great shape and they still have the key to wind it.

January 4 Telegraph courtesy Dennis Morrison

Additional write up

Black and white photo od what was likwly an extremely colorfully painted plaque listing the ristr of Passaic Egine Co. No. 1 - Based on the name the plaque is from 1862.

Company Mascot

Mascot of Lafayette Engine Co 8 on display at Passaic County Historical Society

The above bear, of which no name is on record, was once the mascot for Lafayette Engine Company of Paterson's volunteer department, that was located on the corner of Wayne Avenue and Liberty Street. When the Paterson volunteers were disbanded in 1890, the bear was given to the Exempt Fireman's Association where he stayed until sometime in the 1930s.

The bear was presented to the Historical Society inn 1954 and was on display in Lambert Castle for many years. Unfortunately he began to deteriorate and his outstretched arms became damaged due to a heavy fire hose in his paws. It was also necessary to chemically stabilize the bear. Nineteenth century taxidermists used chemicals such as arsenic. Before the bear could be put on exhibit again, he needed to have his stuffing removed and replaced with new, safer materials.

1904 Visit of Paterson Exempts to Reading, PA FD

Mayor's Trophy

August 29, 1923: Frank J. Van Noort was the mayor of Paterson from 1920-1923

Eifler Collection

Third Annual Parochial School Meet - Police and Fire - 1 Mile Relay - Donated by K. of C. - Won by Fire Dep't - H. Dews, H.J. Warr, J.J. Hess, H. Strathearn (future Chief Engineer)

Vincent Marchese Photo

Courtesy Vince Zito - T Dayspring photo

1931 - 1932: State Firemen's Bowling - League 4th Prize won by Local No. 2 1931-'32

Parade Trophy

1938: NJ State Exempt Firemen Parade in Asbury Park - Won by Paterson N.J. Exempt Firemen as the Oldest Hand Engine in Parade

Vincent Marchese photo

Book Ends presented by FMBA to Mayor De Vita, June 1951

The sculptured bookends, present to the Mayor by FMBA Local 2 were patterned after "Old Paint" the horse and Native American). Bookends made from melted badges of Paterson Firemen and Policemen.

Courtesy of Christina De Vita Breit (the Mayor's daughter)

Courtesy of Christina De Vita Breit

FMBA President's Ring

1986 FMBA Ball: Presidents ring presented to prior President Michael Ventimiglia by President William Filippelli

Courtesy Michael Ventimiglia

Paterson Fire House Furniture

Common to every Paterson firehouse were oak bedside stools and comfortable oak sitting chairs (at right is Godwin Avenue FH: Tommy Ingram standing & Captain Joe Dayspring sitting). During the depression PFD performed an inventory and everything was labeled (numbered) and affixed with a small brass circular plaque

Dayspring Collection

Underside of stool seat

Bunkroom blanket

April 2022 - PFD blanket designed by Ret Captain Scott Parkin - Vince Marchese at right

Fire Hydrant from Paterson

Now in NJ Firemen's Museum in Booton, NJ

Exterior Firehouse Sign

Circa mid 1950s 476 Market Street - From Dayspring Collection at NJ Firemen's Museum in Booton NJ

Halligan Bar Presentation

Halligan Bar mounted on a piece of oak by the shop and presented to Captain James Coyle on his retirement in 1963 (a 42 year career). Coyle was known to always carry a Halligan Bar. Appointed October 16, 1921 and assigned Truck 2. Promoted to Captain January 1, 1942; December 1, 1947 E11; January 12, 1949 E13; November 9, 1952 Truck 3; December 1961 - Truck 1 "B"