Virtual Exhibitions

"Upon my mentioning, among other projects, that I had an idea of collecting the hats of distinguished individuals, [General Grant] at once offered to send an orderly for the hat he had worn during his principal campaigns." Beaver felt hats were so popular among prominant society that the beaver was hunted to near extinction. This was Barnum's white beaver felt top hat, our own hat of a distinguished person. (1971.2.1)