Historical Hats & Reenacting History

[Hurricane Jack]

I envision this thread to be used for the picture presentation of hats used by reenactors & living history presenters regardless of the era. It would also be a good place to present clones of unique hats worn by real people in the past such as Red's Olcott & the Slatts Gill, or Bob's grandfather's hat.

If you saw the movie "Lincoln" then you know Daniel Day-Lewis played him brilliantly.

But the best amateur reenactors of Abe & Mary Todd Lincoln I have ever seen are the Daniels.

They do a one act play of the Lincoln's evening together at the White House just before going out to Ford's Theatre. Essentially the Lincoln's last private time spent together.

It is said that President Lincoln & Senator Stephen Douglas never liked each other.

Any other historians or living history presenters?

 

[Redfokker]

Now yer talking! My kind of thread. I have often thought of doing Civil War reenacting, but I'm not into camping in the mud. I try to re-create historic figures of Oregon State University in their signature hats. Mostly from vintage images I find in our archives. I am always on the hunt for the next project. I also name my hats for these Beaver ancestors, such as my "William Jasper Kerr" Derby. Kerr was the 9th President of the college and built much of what I see out of the windows where I work.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

A couple more pictures of the Lincolns.

"Abe" seen with other reenactors.

 

[Fed in a Fedora]

I enjoy doing events of the flintlock era. Mostly US War of Independence, but also French and Indian or War of 1812.

Here is the common "Cocked Hat" of the Rev War period:

Here is a pair of Light Infantry Helmets one of which is the four piece dome while the other is the two piece dome.

Slouch hat with folded up side for shoulder arms:

Simple Workman's cap of a member of the Horn Guild:

These range from South Carolina, Mississippi and Louisiana. There is a lot to this hobby.
Fed

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I've never seen anything like those Light Infantry Helmets & the four piece dome is very unique.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Reenactors on the set of "Gods and Generals" with General Robert E. Lee (Robert Duvall)

On the set of "God's and Generals" with General Hancock (Brian Mallon)

With narrator Richard Dreyfuss at Chickamauga Battlefield, GA

During the filming of "Black Confederates" at Shiloh, TN

 

[Redfokker]

Here would be a good place to ask this question. I am a board member of a local historical society. We do living history events for the oldest house in my town, built in 1849. Our era that we are showcasing is the 1860ish period. Other than a derby (which may be a little later) what would be an appropriate hat for a local shop owner, "citizen". I know top hats would be period, I need an everyday hat.
I figure that Loungers who look at this thread in particular would have some suggestions. I know I should research on my own. But I value the experience and knowledge of the hive collective.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Here would be a good place to ask this question. I am a board member of a local historical society. We do living history events for the oldest house in my town, built in 1849. Our era that we are showcasing is the 1860ish period. Other than a derby (which may be a little later) what would be an appropriate hat for a local shop owner, "citizen". I know top hats would be period, I need an everyday hat.
I figure that Loungers who look at this thread in particular would have some suggestions. I know I should research on my own. But I value the experience and knowledge of the hive collective.

I see reenactors of "townies" of that era usually wearing hats that resemble a modified version of an English carriage driver's hat, both in felt & straw. The taller derby or bowler was also being worn. Younger boys/men were starting to wear flat caps but I don't know much about their style or construction. "Shop owners & bankers" are usually wearing vests & armbands also.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

^^^Robert Duvall makes an excellent Robert E. Lee. Martin Sheen wasn't bad (maybe too young looking) in "Gettysburg".

 

[Redfokker]

I see reenactors of "townies" of that era usually wearing hats that resemble a modified version of an English carriage driver's hat, both in felt & straw. The taller derby or bowler was also being worn. Younger boys/men were starting to wear flat caps but I don't know much about their style or construction. "Shop owners & bankers" are usually wearing vests & armbands also.

I am trying to tell the story of transportation in the 1860s Willamette Valley. Railroads came to Albany later than our historical period, but most engineers of the era wore their suits and ties to work. They were the rock stars of the mid 19th century. I am drawn to these low flat topped hats with a sporty curl to the brim. Now another search begins...this place is evil...

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Red, I've wondered if the low flat topped hats with the sporty curl weren't the genesis for the Lords hat to come.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Red, here is another good example of what was being worn.

 

[gtdean48]

125th Anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh...12th GA Company C "Davis Rifles" Reenacted...

 

[Hurricane Jack]

125th Anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh...12th GA Company C "Davis Rifles" Reenacted...

That's been a while ago. Which one is you?

 

[RJR]

That's been a while ago. Which one is you?

If Tom is in this pic,I'd guess the sergeant seated on the right.

 

[Redfokker]

Red, here is another good example of what was being worn.

Thanks Jack, it does seem like a low crown and curly brim shows up in most vintage images we have. The other style that is common is a stove pipe top hat. I might need to start a search for this style, I remember Matt having something close that might be a possibility. A straw with these lines would also be a possibility. I could probably have Mike Miller build me one, I'm always in his queue somewhere.

 

[gtdean48]

If Tom is in this pic,I'd guess the sergeant seated on the right.

That's right Bob...seated with the stripes...

 

[Hurricane Jack]

The 52nd REGIMENTAL STRING BAND

Playing in the rain on Confederate Memorial Day (at Shiloh?)

In New Orleans at the Delta Steamship Line

Taken before a performance in Alabama

 

[Blackthorn]

125th Anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh...12th GA Company C "Davis Rifles" Reenacted...

I'd pay money for a copy of the hat being worn by the guy in the back, standing on our left. Very cool hat!

 

[Hurricane Jack]

The 52nd REGIMENTAL STRING BAND

With Civil War author William "Jack" Davis on board the Mississippi Queen

At Fort Pillow, TN with Civil War author and historian Bud Robertson

On the Delta Queen Riverboat with Shelby Foote

With Civil War artist Mort Kunsler

With Civil War artist David Wright