Parade Hose Wagon

The Rumsey Firemen's Parade Hose Carriage, originally owned by Ringgold Hose Company #1, of Newburgh, New York, was used exclusively for parading. The firemen's parade was a popular social activity in the nineteenth century, as many people had friends and relatives who were members of their local fire companies. It was common practice for the local fire departments to vie for awards at these parades, generally by showing off their firemen and vehicles. This parade hose carriage is highly ornamented, being silver plated from its axles to the statue of Cupid on top, mirrored on the ends of the hose reel, and originally having seven cut glass lamps. This hose carriage would have been prohibitively expensive for the people of Newburgh, having cost approximately $2,000 when it was new. Funds for its purchase were likely raised by donation from community members, and from the firemen themselves. The firemen were fiercely competitive about the awards at firemen's parades, and kept their vehicles meticulously polished. This carriage would have gleamed at a parade, and certainly won many awards.