History of Ladies Hats Exhibit, Aurora

Bonnets. Pill Boxes. Beret. Cartwheel. Turban. And oh ya. ..snooke. All types of hats. And there are derby hats, picture hats, straw hats and sombreros. The history of women’s hats is a long one, and one deserving enough to have an exhibit to trace the trends and history of hats at the Aurora History Museum.
How about decorating those hats? Ribbons, yarn, birds (real and artificial) flowers, sequins, jewels, fur. Anything to match your personality and taste. Hats could be flamboyant, or simple, either way they noted your class status.
How about how they were made? Bamboo, straw, yarn, cotton. To be a milliner required resourcefulness, creativity, imagination and pride. Milliners often completed a two-year apprenticeship and then opened their own shops.
There is a hat for every occasion, to keep warm, to celebrate a fancy event, or even flow with a hairstyle. Talented milliners surely would have no problem designing a hat to dress up Marge Simpson’s cool blue doo. And how about adding ruffles on the back of a bonnet to shade ladies necks. SPF through the roof!
There is a hat for every era, and the trends will continue to set the times. Hats off to an exhibit that brings light to history, and lucky for us that sport hats, there is more to come in this era of fashion!

Barney Ford Museum. Breckenridge Colorado

Breckenridge is the oldest Colorado town west of the Continental Divide. I laced up my boots
with this in mind, and knew a trip down Main St. would turn up some history as
rich as the gold that was panned here in the 1800’s. Victorian-style buildings line
the main street with what are now bustling businesses. But one house sits up off
of Main St. and has an especially sweet tale to tell. It was the home of Barney
Ford, an escaped slave who became the first African American business owner in
late Victorian Breckenridge. Barney worked hard for civil rights, served as director
of the Underground Railroad, and used his hard working hands to open up many
businesses.

From barber shops, to restaurants and hotels, it seems Mr. Barney Ford didn’t let
any doors shut on him. Not all of his business ventures boomed, but his true grit
allowed him to learn from his downfalls.

The museum does not house Barney Ford’s original artifacts and furniture, though
you still get a feeling for the time period from the restoration of the home. There is
one postcard that belonged to Barney Ford, and also two wood paneled front doors
in the exhibit room that are believed to be his from a restaurant on 1514 Blake St.
in Denver, which is now “India House Restaurant”. The building is now one story
higher, but structurally has remained the same. There is a plaque honoring Barney
Ford, and it is on the National Register. The doors were recovered by Robin
Theobald and donated to the Barney Ford House museum in Breckenridge. As you
walk through this old Victorian home you will be reminded of the strong work ethic,
spirit, and determination of Barney Ford that needs to be kept alive.