Vigo County Historical Society

Hats turn every child into a little doll

Even the most plain of babes turn into little dolls just by putting a darling little hat upon his or her wee head. At the moment of birth, warm little hats are plunked upon the newborn’s head and it may be at this very moment that a relationship with hats is begun.

In our family, the little hats from the hospital changed to a soft cotton cloche topped with a big pink rose and several Winnie the Pooh hats with ears sticking jauntily atop the babe’s head.

Will the children continue to wear hats? This will depend on their parents’ desires and finally peer pressure, but for now, little heads covered by small hats can melt even the hardest of hearts.

The Vigo County Historical Museum has an exhibit on hats. In the presentation are two children’s hats.

One of the hats was worn by Helen Condit. It is a round straw hat with light blue and beige striped silk trim, and on the very top is a cluster of small spring flowers. The other small hat is a white straw sailor trimmed with navy grosgrain ribbon. Edna Gilmore donated this hat.

I remember a similar hat from my childhood and how carefree and ladylike I felt just by placing my little sailor hat upon my head.

If you love hats, take a few moments to visit the museum and gaze upon the wonderful collection of hats; maybe you will be inspired to purchase a beautiful Easter bonnet and then you too will feel that, just for a moment, you can be transformed!