Lincoln Lincoln's Iconic Stovepipe Hat(s)

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Posted today on Facebook 1/15/22 by Ford's Theatre National Historic Site

Other than Abraham Lincoln's beard, one of the most iconic aspects of his appearance was his stovepipe hat. Also known as a top hat, this hat style grew popular during the 19th century. By the 1850s, Lincoln was often seen wearing stovepipe hats. During his presidency, Lincoln owned several different examples of this popular hat. Only three of his hats are definitely known to exist today, including at Chicago History Museum and Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home. Lincoln's final hat resides at National Museum of American History and was the one he wore on that fateful night at Ford's Theatre. Lincoln bought the hat from Washington hatmaker J. Y. Davis, and Lincoln added the morning band in honor of his son Willie. After Lincoln's death, Mary gave permission for the War Department to give the hat to the Patent Office (now National Portrait Gallery) who later transferred it to the Smithsonian. The hat remained in storage until October 17, 1893 when the Memorial Association of the District of Columbia acquired it for their museum in the Petersen Boarding House. Lincoln's hat remained on display there for three years before returning to the Smithsonian where it is now on display.

Image 1: Lincoln at Antietam Image: Library of Congress
Image 2 Lincoln's final hat, Image: American History Museum
Image 3: Lincoln's hat at Chicago History Museum, Image: Chicago History Museum
Image 4: Lincoln's hat at his son, Robert's home in Vermont, Image: Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home

 

[Sheltowee]

Always seemed an impractical piece of headgear.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

I came across a reference in a diary by a soldier whose unit was reviewed that day by Lincoln, and he mentions seeing Lincoln in his "old-fashioned" stovepipe hat. Was Lincoln "out of style?" He certainly wouldn't be the first person who, after a certain age, prefers to wear what he likes instead of what the young people think is stylish.

 

[Copperhead-mi]

Always seemed an impractical piece of headgear.

The hat appeared to be practical to Lincoln. He carried his notes and speeches inside of it.

 

[JOHN42768]

Being very tall already, the height of the stovepipe really stands out

 

[Pollaco]

Normally it just wouldn't look right on a tall man but with Lincoln it somehow fit.But I bet it would have looked out of place on almost anyone else.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Being very tall already, the height of the stovepipe really stands out

I've come across statements that Lincoln was aware that type hat, together with his unusual height, made him stand out in a crowd and he used it to call attention to himself while campaigning. A type of early marketing, if you will.

 

[Pollaco]

There was bound to have been several windy days in Washington, it's hard to look cool while chasing a hat.

 

[JOHN42768]

I've come across statements that Lincoln was aware that type hat, together with his unusual height, made him stand out in a crowd and he used it to call attention to himself while campaigning. A type of early marketing, if you wll.

It definitely works.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

I guess those hats had in fact been around for a while.

The Top Hat: Its History and Popularity - geriwalton.com

Top hat history became exciting when John Hetherington became known as the first person to wear the “high” hat. The idea that anyone should do so supposedly caused his family to strongly advise him against wearing it. But, he could not be deterred and “forth he sallied.” It happened on a...

www.geriwalton.com

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

There was bound to have been several windy days in Washington, it's hard to look cool while chasing a hat.

Someone, of course, thought of that

"One advantage to the Dandy was the fact it was unlikely to blow it off a person's head because of a leather band inside the hat that could be laced tightly at the back, similar to a "hunting-topper." When this "grip [was] maintained on the crown of the head … the hat [was] thereby prevented from being easily blown off."[9] "

Source: https://www.geriwalton.com/the-top-hat/

 

[JPChurch]

Very tall hat indeed. I have a nice pair of civilian "stovepipe" leather boots. Made by Fugawee. Very soft leather

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Very tall hat indeed. I have a nice pair of civilian "stovepipe" leather boots. Made by Fugawee. Very soft leather

Is a picture available?

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Apart from any fashion considerations, the hat-type worn was also regarded as a status symbol at the time.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Apart from any fashion considerations, the hat-type worn was also regarded as a status symbol at the time.

If I read the article I linked above correctly, the heyday of that style hat was in the 1840s and 50s and it was a status symbol, as much as driving a particular car might be to a later generation. But by the time of the CW it was becoming old style, and I find it interesting that Lincoln held on to that image. Without a doubt, it was his "brand!"

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

@Gary Morgan @lupaglupa and I got to see Lincoln's hat, well one of them anyhow, when we met up at the Robert Lincoln estate in Vermont. It is VERY tall - I was looking at it, through the case, and I think it was made of beaver or some very, very fine felting material. Anyway, I felt like it was an honor to see it so close and personal.

 

[Pollaco]

Doesn't the Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield,Illinois have a stovepipe hat that they thought for years was Lincolns? But now have doubts as the size and now can't prove Lincoln ever owned that particular hat.The hat was worth millions several years ago but now the doubts about actual ownership have really "lessened the value."

 

[Gary Morgan]

@Gary Morgan @lupaglupa and I got to see Lincoln's hat, well one of them anyhow, when we met up at the Robert Lincoln estate in Vermont. It is VERY tall - I was looking at it, through the case, and I think it was made of beaver or some very, very fine felting material. Anyway, I felt like it was an honor to see it so close and personal.

The one in Vermont was in much better shape than the one at the Smithsonian (the one in the second image above), which I believe is the one he wore to Ford's Theater (the one in the fourth image above). That one was pretty threadbare and had definitely seen better days....

 

[JerryD]

Before Covid I was a volunteer docent at the Smithsonian American History Museum, which has a number of amazing artifacts. One thing that always bugged me that of all the things we had, the most popular item was not Lincoln's stovepipe hat the night he died, or the chairs Grant and Lee sat in at Appomattox, or the desk Thomas Jefferson used to draft the Declaration of Independence, or Washington's best dress uniform during the American Revolution, or even Old Glory that flew over Fort McHenry. No. The most popular item in the museum was a mismatched pair of Dorothy's ruby red slippers from the Wizard of Oz.

 

[Sheltowee]

Before Covid I was a volunteer docent at the Smithsonian American History Museum, which has a number of amazing artifacts. One thing that always bugged me that of all the things we had, the most popular item was not Lincoln's stovepipe hat the night he died, or the chairs Grant and Lee sat in at Appomattox, or the desk Thomas Jefferson used to draft the Declaration of Independence, or Washington's best dress uniform during the American Revolution, or even Old Glory that flew over Fort McHenry. No. The most popular item in the museum was a mismatched pair of Dorothy's ruby red slippers from the Wizard of Oz.

Made me sad…..