Mount Vernon Leather Fire Bucket

The most important piece of fire-fighting equipment from the seventeenth to early nineteenth centuries was a leather fire bucket. Standard-size buckets, such as the six George Washington purchased for $19 from Philadelphia's saddler and retailer William Jones on March 10, 1797, held approximately 2 ½ to 3 gallons of water or sand. Philadelphia's shoemakers crafted many of that city's buckets. Washington's, neatly emblazoned with his name, are typical examples. At Mount Vernon, the buckets stood ready for use in the first-­floor servants' hall; and they have never left the estate. These incredibly rare survivals remind us of the very serious threat fires were to life and livelihood in the eighteenth century.

This beautiful leather reproduction of Washington’s 18th-century fire bucket, fully
handcrafted and handstitched in America, is made in honor of the important history of fire prevention here at Mount Vernon.

The important mission of protecting Mount Vernon from fire continues to this day. In 1879, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association purchased its first four fire extinguishers. Great Americans like Henry Ford recognized the threat too. In 1923, the Ford Motor Company gave Mount Vernon its first fire engine. He also encouraged the Association to form its first fire department and install proper fire hydrants. 

The Mount Vernon Fire Bucket is a unique addition to your home décor, great for your foyer, hearth or anywhere in your home you'd like to add a touch of history.  

Handmade in Virginia. Measurements: 13" tall, 8 ¾” diameter at the top with a 5 ½” base.  

View original Fire Bucket from our collection. 

You may also like to purchase the new Fire Bucket toothpick holder and Matchstick Holder