The Shiretown Blogger visits Connell House Hat Exhibit

On July 29, 2011, The Shiretown Blogger paid a visit to Connell House in Woodstock to view
their exhibit on 19th and 20th century hats. The tour, guided by Carleton County Historical Society
summer student Patrick King, was an informative explanation of many antique hats.

The majority of the hats were donated by local people, and ranged in era from 1840 onward.
The wide variety of hats included bonnets, formal wear, top hats, military hats, and there were even
some uniforms on display as well.

The exhibit was set up at the top of Connell House's main staircase, and in two other rooms on
the second floor. One room was devoted specifically to women's headgear, the other one devoted to
men's. The room with women's hats was set up in chronological order.

The exhibit can be viewed anytime between Tuesday and Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm for only
$5.00. The cost includes viewing of the exhibit as well as a tour of Connell House. It is open to the
public to be viewed until September.

This bonnet is believed to be the oldest hat in the women's  collections, and was on display in one of the upstairs bedrooms. 

Many hats were on display on a table with descriptions and photos.

Two display cases were filled with antique women's headgear.

A mannequin displaying black formal wear. This type of dress was usually worn at funerals or
times of grieving, and women during that period wore black for up to a year after the death of
their husbands.

Some men's war hats.

A display case full of military hats.

An antique men's suit on display.

Carleton County Historical Society summer student and Connell House tour guide Patrick King explaining some men's hats and suits on display at Connell House's hat exhibit.

A table in the Edwin Tappan Adney room at Connell House.

Visitors are greeted at the top of the stairs by a table displaying many 19th and 20th century hats.

With the help of a grant from the province's Fine Art Conservation Program, the Carleton County Historical Society restored a portrait of Sheriff Francis Wentworth Winslow (the first High Sheriff of Carleton County) and his wife Jane Caroline (Rainsford) Winslow. The portraits are on display at Connell House in the West Wing (also called the John Lee room).

Nathan DeLong (The Shiretown Blogger) puts his face on the Connell Stamp!

 A thank you to Patrick King for the tour and explanation of the hat exhibit and to Carleton County Historical Society Executive Director Kellie Blue-McQuade for her work in setting up the exhibit.