This small piece of woven green fabric seems unusually placed in an environment generally focused on fire history. However, a large portion of that history revolves around the firefighters who courageously defend their communities against fires. This artifact showcases the life of one firefighter named Edward Bettcher who had a successful career within the Aurora Fire Department. On June 2, 1911, Bettcher passed the fire examination and became a member of Company No. 1. When he was not fighting fires for the city of Aurora, he enjoyed crocheting. In 1917, he created this shawl as a gift for his bride-to-be Bernice Larson. He resigned from the Fire Department on May 7, 1918. He joined the Coast Guard Artillery of the U.S. to fight in World War I and was sent to Fort Williams, Maine. This shawl was worn by Mrs. Bettcher quite often until she decided to wash it. She made her washing water too hot which ultimately shrank the shawl! When Edward Bettcher returned to Aurora three years after he resigned and enlisted, he welcomed his first child with his wife on June 14, 1920. They decided that the shawl was better suited for the baby's carriage. After completing his military service in April of 1921, Edward Bettcher returned to firefighting and became part of Company No. 3. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1926 and transferred to Company No. 4. One year later, he was transferred back to No. 3 and was then again promoted in 1936 and served as Captain to Company No. 4. Bettcher retired on October 1, 1942. After his resignation from the fire department he worked with the engineering department of the U.S. military until he passed away in 1944 as an honorable and decorated military veteran and firefighter. This shawl is not only an example of Bettcher’s work but it is also representative of many woven shawls created in the late 1910s. Particularly, the classical fringe that surrounds the outside of the item and the method of hand crafting with a crochet hook are both indications of the time period. Currently this shawl is on exhibition for the 170th celebration of the museum, so make sure to check it out on your next visit!
Written by Molly, ARFM Summer Intern 2026