Black Felt Bowler Hat

Object/Artifact

-

The Cardinal Collection

Name/Title

Black Felt Bowler Hat

Entry/Object ID

2022.2.22.31

Description

This is a black felt bowler hat with the hand-written inscription of "Joe W. Baird" on the inside leather sweatband. This inscription is most likely the name of the hat's previous owner. Designed in 1849 by hatters Thomas and William Bowler, the bowler hat was known by several names: derby, coke, billycock, billy coke, and bombin. The bowler hat fit snuggly on one's head, soon making it popular when riding a horse or a railroad car. The bowler became immensely popular for all classes in society, the good guys and the bad guys, the metropolitan and the cowboy, and the banker and the civil servant. The bowler is known as a "derby" in the United States. This nickname is attributed to the Earl of Derby when he was seen wearing the bowler hat at the horse races in America.

Location

Room

Textile Room

Building

Doty House

Section with Park

Hueston Woods Pioneer Farm

Ohio State Park

Hueston Woods State Park