Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
Historic Treasure of the Week -
July 28, 2002
By Jan Buffington
Vigo County Historical Society
Well-dressed woman’s outfit wouldn’t be complete without bonnet
In the good old days, a proper lady kept her head covered at all times.
She would even wear a light bonnet or cap under her travel bonnet so that her head stayed covered when she took the bonnet off. A well-dressed woman would have owned a variety of head coverings.
She might have had a cap for sleeping, a cap or small day bonnet for inside work, a fancier one for daytime entertaining, a bonnet for outdoor wear, a heavier travel bonnet and several more for special and evening social events.
The Historical Treasure for this week is a very beautiful day bonnet that protected head, hair, face, neck and shoulders from the sun.
The bonnet is a very practical one. It could have been used indoors or out.
Made in two sections that attach with pearl buttons, it would be easy to launder, dry on the line and iron.
Constructed out of lightweight cotton and edged with crocheted lace, the brim is trimmed with five rows of white embroidery and cut work alternating with sections of cording.
The apron or cape (the part that covers neck and shoulders) is longer than most bonnets. It is made of the same lightweight white cotton and is edged with the same lace.
A drawstring at the nape of the neck adjusts the bonnet to fit the wearer. The chin ties are attached to this back section.
This bonnet was owned by Sue Hassler. She was born in 1865 in Germany and lived in Connersville until her death in 1956.
The bonnet was donated to the museum by her niece, Jean Hollar, and is on display in the seamstress shop exhibit on the second floor of the Vigo County Historical Museum.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Web site: http://web.indstate.edu/community/vchs.