Vulcan Society collection, 1898-1994 (bulk 1960-1990)

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Vulcan Society collection, 1898-1994 (bulk 1960-1990)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/743088874

The bulk of the Vulcan Society Collection (1961-1994) consists of minutes, correspondence, newsletters, souvenir journals, news clippings and other printed material. Included are files kept by Robert O. Lowery, the first black New York City Fire Department commissioner and president of the Society for several years, and his successor, Vincent Julius. Julius' files contain information on a 1986 lawsuit brought by the Vulcan Society on behalf of present and future black fire fighters against the NYCFD in order to redress employment discrimination based on race, along with his comments on the suit, correspondence files, and a chronology of the Society. There is documentation and biographical information on pioneer black fire fighters consisting of a diary-type volume (1898-1899) kept by William H. Nicholson the first black fire fighter employed by the NYCFD listing routine activities in a fire station; and biographical information on Wesley Williams, the first black battalion chief. Also included in the collection are tributes and correspondence discussing Vulcan Society activities and the organization's involvement in the community (1962-1990), and printed material issued NYCFD.

1 lin. ft. (2 1/2 arcival boxes)

New York Public Library System, NYPL

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 8115561

New York Public Library System, NYPL

Related Entities

There are 5 Entities related to this resource.

Williams, Wesley A., 1896-1984

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6kw63xp (person)

New York City's first African-American fire fighter and fire official in the New York City Fire Department, ascending through the ranks from driver (1919), retiring as battalion chief (1952). He was a founder of the Vulcan Society, a black firemen's professional and social organization which sought better employment conditions. From the description of Wesley Williams papers, 1909-1984, 1919-1984. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122517463 From the guide to the Wesley Williams ...

Lowery, Robert O. 1916-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6rc51z9 (person)

New York (N.Y.). Fire Department

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6n05skr (corporateBody)

The New York City Fire Dept., comprised of volunteers, was disbanded by act of the state legislature in 1865 and replaced with the Metropolitan Fire Dept., a paid force. From the description of Records, 1855-1865. (New York University, Group Batchload). WorldCat record id: 58759003 Course taught at John Jay College for promotion and career training. From the description of Promotion and career training collection, 1972-1975. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 1554566...

New York (N.Y.). Fire Dept. Vulcan Society.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tz1h0h (corporateBody)

The Vulcan Society is a fraternal organization of black fire fighters employed by the NYCFD. It was founded in 1940 by the late Battalion Chief Wesley Williams who was also instrumental in establishing the Guardians, a fraternal organization of black policemen in the New York City Police Department. Initially formed for comradeship and to eliminate and monitor discrimination within the NYCFD, the Society also provides education and training for individuals interested in careers as fire fighters,...

Julius, Vincent W.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6ck6bn1 (person)