Collection on the Waltham Fire Department

This collection contains materials related to the Waltham (MA) Fire Department, beginning with records of the Waltham Engine Company (circa 1817) and spanning to the turn of the 21st century. Materials include ledgers, scrapbooks, reports, publications, photographs, and news clippings.

Of note are the records ledgers and various scrapbooks, which provide a wealth of information and context on the history of firefighting in Waltham:

-The Waltham Engine Company records ledger includes the constitution of and early records for the company, which was first set up by the Boston Manufacturing Company in 1817. It also contains news clippings from the early 19th century and meeting minutes of the Steam Fire Engine Committee.

-The Waltham Fire Department scrapbook was compiled by former fire chief John Haines (1875-1877), and presented to the City of Waltham circa 1902. It contains mostly newsclippings about the history of the Fire Department, including a long list of fires that occurred in Waltham between 1770 and 1899. ALso in the scrapbook is information about the purchase of Waltham's first steam engine.

-The Ladder Company No. 1 ledger contains meeting minutes as well as descriptions of every fire call answered between 1916 and 1926.

-H. H. Easterbrook's "History of the Waltham Fire Department" is a scrapbook of clippings from "The Firemen's Standard" magazine, which provide an outline of the department's history and include photographs.

-A second Waltham Fire Department scrapbook (box 5) was compiled by Captain R. E. Locke, then added to by Chief George L. Johnson (1906-1940). Chief Edward Cloonan (1964-1984) donated it to the Waltham Public Library. It contains news clippings from approximately 1908-1940, as well as photographs.

-"Waltham Fire Department 1817-1996" by local fire department historian Michael Drukman provides an expansive look at the history of firefighting in Waltham, and includes many newsclippings and photographs.

Also of note are the ledgers of the Waltham Fire Club, which include meeting minutes, by-laws, and clippings spanning nearly 100 years.