Pasadena Museum of History

Mad for Hats!, a new exhibition at Pasadena Museum of History (PMH), explores 100 years of hats, both as fashion and as a reflection on our changing society from the 1880s to 1960s. More than 70 hats and related photographs, selected from the Museum’s collection, will showcase the various materials, styles, and shapes of ladies hats. The exhibit is open 12:00 to 5:00 pm Wednesdays through Sundays until June 12, 2011.

Through the ages, men, women, and children have adorned their heads for a variety of reasons. At times, hats were purely utilitarian providing protection from the elements.  Over the years, hats evolved beyond their functional purpose to become an essential accessory that indicated the wearer’s economic standing, social status, or fashion savvy.

The popularity, size, and shape of hats has changed measurably over time. In past decades, a respectable lady or gentleman would not have ventured outdoors without one. The design of women’s hats has been influenced by hairstyles, haute couture, new materials, even the popular use of the parasol. The impact of men’s hat designs – such as the top hat and the fedora – has also been remarkable.

Mad for Hats! was curated by Elizabeth Smalley, M.D., Museum Trustee and chair of the Museum’s Collections Committee; Suzanne Ehrmann, jewelry designer and Museum collections volunteer; and Janet Kadin, PMH Volunteer Council President. Antique Millinery Specialist Barbara Troeller will serve as the Museum’s Resident Millinery Historian during the run of this exhibition.

PMH will offer a variety of exhibition-related programming throughout the run of Mad for Hats! Please visit the website at www.pasadenahistory.org for updated listings.

An in-depth, docent-led tour of the exhibition Mad For Hats! will be offered at 12:15 pm on Fridays beginning March 4, 2011. An optional Tea following the 45-60-minute tour has been arranged for tour participants at the charming Tea Rose Garden in Old Pasadena.  Directions will be provided at the conclusion of each tour.

Tickets:  Tour – Museum Members $4; Non-Members $8. Tea – $25 (payable at restaurant; 20% of your restaurant bill will be donated to the Museum). Advanced reservation & tour payment required. Please call 626.577.1660 ext. 15 and ask for the “Tour and Tea Package.”

Pasadena Museum of History is located at 470 W. Walnut St. , Pasadena 91103 . Exhibition admission is $5 adults; $4 students & seniors; free for children under 12 and for Museum Members. The Museum offers free admission (i.d. required) on Wednesdays to anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Pasadena and surrounding communities. Please visit www.pasadenahistory.org for a complete listing of cities eligible for the “Community Wednesdays” offer.

Pasadena Museum of History.
470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena. (626) 577-1660 Website: www.pasadenahistory.org
Open: Wednesdays through Sundays, 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. Cost: Exhibit admission is $5.00 for adults, children are free.