Name/Title
Polka dot capEntry/Object ID
2008.014.001Description
Cloth cap which belonged to Dudley Howe. Navy Blue with tan polka dots, with stiff half brim lined in green cloth, label reads"Kromer Klean Kloth Kap, Milwaukee 7 1/8, Reg Trade Mark".
Dudley Howe, whom almost everyone in Dark Harbor called "Uncle Dudley," was an avid sailor and owned several boats, among them #2 in the Dark Harbor 20 class. The name of the boat was either "Some How" or "Any How" or "And How" . Howe is described by one of his unofficial nieces, Liberty Aldrich Redmond, as a very "relaxed competitor and there were rumors that filtered down to our age group that he always sailed with liquid refreshments on board." Mrs Redmond says that Howe wore this cap constantly except when he was tolling the bell at Christ Church and she is not quite sure how her mother gained possession of the cap, but presumes that it was some racing bet between Mrs Aldrich and Mr Howe which he lost, having "bet my hat." As a side light, Mrs R's father Ambassador Aldrich did not approve of Mr Howe's liquid refreshment on board the "Some How/Any How/And How" and perhaps at other events, and they did not socialize, especially not at Mr Howe's stag parties on 'Tumbledown Dick' the islet in Gilkey Harbor in front of the Howe cottage. These picnics were held on Sundays and called 'Church " picnics.