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Hats
The exhibit sign in the gallery reads “Hats Off to the Past.”
Hats have served both functional and fashionable purposes throughout history.
Tap to turn
The museum’s display showcases fashion trends and craftsmanship in a diverse selection of men’s and women’s hats from bygone eras.
Our display features a variety of men and women’s hats from the 1950s and 1960s.
By the 20th century, hats became mainstream fashion accessories, peaking in popularity in the early 1900s before gradually declining in daily wear.
Head coverings have marked status, offered protection, and later become everyday fashion.
The museum notes hats in ancient civilizations, elaborate hats of the Middle Ages, and the 18th and 19th centuries — from top hats for men to bonnets and wide-brimmed hats for women.
