The Seattle Fire Department Relief Association was organized in May 1891 after the death of Herman Larsen, Seattle's first firefighter killed in the line of duty. The fire department raised money for Larsen's funeral expenses, and decided to form a relief organization to help firefighters and their families in the event of death, illness or injury. The Seattle Fire Department Relief Association was incorporated in October 1892.
The first Firemen's Ball was held in November 1891 at the Armory, raising $600 for the Relief Association. The invitation pictured here invites a Mr. John Prichards "and Ladies" to the Third Annual Ball at the Armory on Christmas Night, 1893. The envelope for this card, not pictured here, is addressed to Mr. Prichards "Compliments of Ralph Cook." Cook was chief of the Fire Department at the time.
Caption information source: "Seattle Fire Department Relief Association is incorporated on October 1, 1892," by Alan J. Stein, historylink.org Essay 3936.
Physical Description: 1 invitation ; 3.75 x 5.5, folded to 3.75 x 2.75
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
