Fire Marks: The Visible Proof of Insurance (ON-SITE)

In 1752, when Benjamin Franklin and his colleagues formed The Philadelphia Contributionship, the nation's first successful property insurance company, they adapted British insurance practices including the use of fire marks. These colorful badges made of lead were hung on insured properties, the visible proof of insurance.

The Philadelphia Contributionship served as a model for other mutual insurance companies that followed. And members of The Carpenters' Company were often engaged as surveyors by the insurance companies. By the early 19th century Philadelphia served as the home for numerous other insurance companies both mutual and stock. They shared the common practice of issuing fire marks to their insureds. By the middle of the 19th century numerous Philadelphia homes and businesses sported badges made of wood and lead, or later, iron. Today a few examples of these remain, particularly in the older sections of the city and notably on Carpenters' Hall. Explore the history of these early Philadelphia artifacts and untangle the myths.

Surveyed in 1773 by Gunning Bedford for The Philadelphia Contributionship, Carpenters' Hall is one of the company's oldest continuously insured properties. Fire marks have adorned the building since those early years, and the Carpenters' Company supplied itself with fire buckets, Philadelphia's early equipment for fighting fires. Learn more about the intersection of Philadelphia firefighting and insurance in this presentation and see a rare public display of the Company's origianl fire buckets.

Carol W. Smith is an independent curator and archivist who has worked with a number of Philadelphia’s institutions including Carpenters' Hall and Christ Church. For many years she has served as the archivist and historian for The Philadelphia Contributionship, America’s oldest property insurance company. She serves on the board of directors of Fireman’s Hall Museum and has specialized in the history of insurance and firefighting. She has a BA in American Civilization and an MA in Material Culture from the University of Pennsylvania and is a certified archivist.

Proof of vaccination will be required to attend this event. Per the city of Philadelphia guidelines, masks will also be required at all times.

If you are unable to attend the event in-person, it will be recorded. Please select the "recording" option when you purchase your tickets.

Community Partner: Fireman's Hall Museum

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Carpenters’ Hall, 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, United States