Spoon Bonnet, about 1860

Straw bonnets such as this were worn seasonally in the spring and summer.

Drawn Bonnet, 1840-1849

This is an excellent example of an 1840's drawn bonnet, which was likely worn for formal afternoon events.

Bonnet, about 1850

Bonnet, about 1870

Straw bonnets such as this were day wear in spring and summer.

Calash, 1860-1869

This lightweight bonnet was likely worn seasonally in the spring and summer.

Bonnet, about 1880

Hats made of straw, such as this example, were used seasonally as day wear in the spring and summer.

Drawn Bonnet, 1845-1855

This fancy silk bonnet was likely worn for formal afternoon occasions.

Bonnet, about 1840

The quilting of this bonnet tells us that it was likely worn seasonally in the fall and winter.

Bonnet, 1885-1895

This shape of bonnet is referred to as a "Poke" bonnet. Poke bonnets were popular in the late 18th to mid 19th century and are characterized by a flat crown and deep, projecting brim only in the front.The wide silk ribbon was likely onlydecorative and not used as a closure. There are remnants of an elastic strap stitched in to the hat lining. This elastic strap was encased in fabric and would have been worn under the chin, securing the hat on the wearers head. It was likely worn for formal after…

Poke Bonnet,about 1850

This shape of bonnet is referred to as a "Poke" bonnet. Poke bonnets were popular in the late 18th to mid 19th century and are characterized by a flat crown and deep, projecting brim which frames the face and extends only around the front of the hat.

Poke Bonnet, 1840-1847

This shape of bonnet is referred to as a "Poke" bonnet. Poke bonnets were popular in the late 18th to mid 19th century and are characterized by a flat crown and deep, projecting brim which frames the face and extends just around the front of the hat. The velvet material and dark color indicate that this hat was worn seasonally in the autumn and winter.

Capote Bonnet, 1820-1830

A capote- literally, French for hood-began to be worn in 1790s.It is characterized by a stiffened fabric brim framing the face, a soft gathered or pouch-line crown, and ribbon ties extending from the crown.The American prairie sunbonnet is a descendant of the capote.

Bonnet, 1825-1875

Bonnet, 1825-1875

Bonnet, about 1895

Bonnet, 1820-1850

The quilting of this bonnet indicates that it was likely worn seasonally in the autumn and winter.

Bonnet, about 1800

Bonnet, 1848-1857

During the 1850s, popular women's hairstyles were exaggerated at the front, puffed out at the sides, with hair pulled back low on the neck; and hat shapes changed to accommodate this. This is an example of such a hat. It is smaller and the crown does not extend as far out as hats popular in the previous decade. It does however, have a bavolet- the flap of fabric at the base of the crown which covers the nape of the neck- which also began to disappear around this time.

Drawn Bonnet, 1848-1859

Bonnet, 1848-1855