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Robert Veit Fire Department photographs

 Collection
Identifier: Collection 134

Scope and Contents

This collection currently contains only the photographs associated with Robert J. Veit and the Grand Rapids Fire Department.

Unprocessed accession 1989.024 contains other items of interest concerning Grand Rapids fire fighting, including a history, department yearbooks and reports, department training literature, department rules, fire safety booklets from several national organizations, city ordinances, conference programs, city charters, some trade literature, and general miscellaneous items.

Dates

  • 1927-1983

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Robert Veit (1920-1987) served with the Grand Rapids Fire Department for 40 years. He joined the department in 1944 following military service. He began working in the department's blacksmith shop turning brass couplings for hoses. He became a Lieutenant in 1948; Captain in 1949; District Chief in 1952; Deputy Chief in 1961. Veit was promoted to Chief in 1967 upon the retirement of former Chief Meyers. Veit retired in 1984.

Extent

5.33 Linear Feet (Eight boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Robert Veit (1920-1987) served the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Fire Department for forty years, beginning in 1944. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1948, Captain in 1949, District Chief in 1952, Deputy Chief in 1961 and Chief in 1967. He retired in 1984. This collection consists of photographs, 1927-1983, depicting fires and other disasters (such as tornadoes), which required the aid of the Grand Rapids Fire Department. Also included are images of fire department equipment, personnel and buildings and numerous Grand Rapids street scenes. The collection also contains business cards from Chief Veit and certificates for Lieutenant Verbrugge. Additional unprocessed material associated with Veit await future processing.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Dee Veit. Accession numbers 1989.024 (part still unprocessed); 1990.037; 1994.011

Related Materials

Information on fires can be found in many of the archival collections. Two general photograph collections to routinely check are:

Coll. 054, GRPL Photographs Collection. Coll. 125, Robinson Studio Collection.

See also Coll. 273, Father Dennis Morrow History of Grand Rapids Collection. Father Morrow serves as Chaplain for the Grand Rapids Police & Fire Departments; his father worked for the local fire department for many years. Morrow's own collection includes information on his own role associated with fires, and also images. Father Morrow did the initial processing and additional identifications for this Veit Collection.

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Finding Aid for the Robert Veit Fire Department photographs
Status
Completed
Author
Mary S. Alfson, Margaret Gillis
Date
June, November 1991
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository

https://www.grpl.org/history/
Contact:
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497

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