George A. Ainslee, Chief Fire Department, 1875
Collections in the Classroom
Grade Level
Elementary, Pre-K
Time Period
1871-1899: Post Reconstruction
Theme
Community
Resource Type
Post-visit material, Pre-visit material, Primary Source
Download Collections in the Classroom: George A. Ainslee, Chief Fire Department (pdf)
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- How do firefighters dress differently today?
- How are their uniforms the same?
CONTEXT
This is an early photograph of George A. Ainslee the Chief of the Richmond Fire Department from 1875. Firefighting and fire protection has always been an important job for community helpers in Richmond and in 1819 the city had three volunteer firefighting organizations. Homeowners were required by law to own a bucket, which individuals employed in “bucket brigades” formed when alerted by alarm bells. Firefighters began getting paid for their hard and dangerous work in the late 19th century and are still important members of our community today.
