Straw Hats

Making hats by braiding natural fibres is considered an art by some, but at one time, it was simply a fact of life.  When labourers were out all day under the hot sun, protection was a necessity.  During the late 18th to early 19th centuries, the wearing of straw hats by farmers and labourers was quite common in both North America and Europe, since the materials were inexpensive and readily available.  This weekend staff will be demonstrating the traditional art of Straw-hat braiding.