HATS Off to Oriental

August – September 7

In the early part of the 1900s and up until the 1950s there were more than four millinery shops in Oriental. Why so many hat shops? Women and men alike wore hats whenever they left home… church, shopping, visiting, dances. Women also wore gloves with their hats.

Those women who couldn’t afford to purchase a ready-made hat decorated their own plain felt or straw hats with ribbons, feathers, veils, bows, flowers, lace, pins, and such. The major pattern companies sold patterns for hats. The decline of hats started in the 1960s and has continued since. 

Admission: free, donations gratefully accepted. Hours are: Fri 11-3, Sat 1-4. For information, OrientalHistoryMuseum@gmail.com.