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Creator
New York (N.Y.). Fire Department. Vulcan Society
Call number
Sc MG 467
Physical description
.75 linear feet (2 1/2 archival boxes)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
[Item], Vulcan Society collection, Sc MG 467, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library
Repository
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

The Vulcan Society is a fraternal organization of black fire fighters employed by the NYCFD. 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.

Biographical/historical information

The Vulcan Society is a fraternal organization of black fire fighters employed by the New York City Fire Department (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, and financial aid to its members and members' children who attend institutions of higher education. In addition, the Society provides moral support and raises funds for other black organizations.

Scope and arrangement

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's 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. His files also contain his comments on the suit, correspondence, and a chronology of the Society.

Additionally, there is documentation and biographical information on pioneer black fire fighters in a diary-type volume (1898-1899) kept by William H. Nicholson, the first black fire fighter employed by the NYCFD. This volume lists routine activities in a fire station. This collection also contains biographical information on Wesley Williams, the first black battalion chief. Finally, the collection contains tributes and correspondence regarding Vulcan Society activities and involvement in the community, and printed material issued by the NYCFD.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift of Robert O. Lowery and Julius W. Vincent in 1993 and 1997.

Processing information

Accessioned by P. Williams in May 1998.

Separated material

Transferred to the General Research and Reference Division: various issues of Vulcan News, 1960-1994.

Transferred to the Art and Artifacts Division: New York City Fire Department Medallion.

Transferred to the Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division: Three interviews: Bill Chisholm (07/91); John McKenzie (05/91); and Fitzhugh Lee (06/91).

Transferred to the Photographs and Prints Division: Three photographs of New York City Fire Fighters.

Related Material

Related collections also located at Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: Wesley Williams papers and the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters papers.

Using the collection

Location

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037-1801
Second Floor