The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

“Profile of the Chimney and Fire-Place,” 1744

Well done is better than well said.

—Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1737

Pennsylvania Hospital, 1755

Philadelphia Contributionship fire mark, 1752–1753

Franklin’s drive to improve himself naturally spilled over into a desire to further the common good. His public spirit mixed with practical organizational skills to produce a variety of civic improvement schemes. Because Franklin’s first priority was to see his ideas realized, he was always willing to cede credit to and collaborate with others.

Within just a few years, Franklin, with a group of like-minded citizens, helped found the Pennsylvania Hospital, America’s first public hospital; the Union Fire Company, Philadelphia’s first volunteer fire brigade; and the Philadelphia Contributionship, America’s first property insurance company. No useful project was too small for his attention, from inventing a new street lamp that was easier to repair and clean, to designing his Pennsylvanian fire-place meant to conserve fuel and prevent tragic house fires.

Franklin’s enduring concern for the general welfare of his fellow citizens was reflected in such diverse activities as his campaign to improve urban sanitation, as well as the formation of an all-volunteer militia to defend against the threat of war with France and its Native American allies.

There is… a Club or Society of active Men belonging to each Fire Engine… Some of these are to handle the Firehooks, and others the Axes… In Time of Fire, they are commanded by Officers appointed by Law, called Firewards, who are distinguish’d by a Red Staff of five Feet long, headed with a Brass Flame of 6 Inches… they direct the opening and stripping of Roofs by the Ax-Men, the pulling down burning Timbers by the Hookmen.

We will all of us, upon hearing of Fire breaking out at or near any of our Dwelling Houses, immediately repair to the same with all our Buckets and Baggs, and there employ our best Endeavours to preserve the Goods and Effects of such of us as shall be in Danger by Packing the same into our Baggs.

—Benjamin Franklin,
“On Protection of Towns from Fire”
in The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 4, 1734/5
and Articles of the Union Fire Company, 1794

Fire bucket, late 18th-early 19th century

Side-crank fire engine, 1753

In cities where houses are built side-by-side, a fire in one could threaten whole neighborhoods with destruction. In 1733, Franklin described the community response: “the Place is crowded by active Men of different Ages, Professions and Titles who… apply themselves with all Vigilance and Resolution, according to their Abilities, to the hard Work of conquering the increasing fire.”

Franklin, having seen Boston and London’s firefighting systems, used his newspaper to suggest that Philadelphia too should organize and train teams of firemen. As usual, Franklin followed up his proposal with concrete action. In 1736, Franklin and nineteen of his neighbors founded the Union Fire Company. Collectively they purchased and maintained a pump, hooks and ladders; individually they supplied leather buckets for conveying water to the fire and bags to carry household goods to safety. They expanded this idea of mutual aid in 1751 into the Philadelphia Contributionship, America’s first property insurance company. The Contributionship pushed for safer building standards, protected member households from fire, and even underwrote mortgages.

Fighting Fires, installation 2005

A Catalogue of Books Belonging to the Library Company of Philadelphia, 1741

Brave Men at Fires. Produced by A More Perfect Union for the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary’s traveling exhibition, “Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World.”