Louisiana Regional Folklife Program at Louisiana Tech

Claiborne Parish Jubilee’s Exhibition of
Community Historic and Contemporary Hats

Introduction

The photos exhibited here feature an assortment of hats, ranging from the mid-1800s to the present from both Anglo- and African American women in the Claiborne Parish area. The hats and their information were collected by Cynthia Steele for an exhibition held November 18, 2006, at the Homer Town Hall. The one-day mini-exhibit was held in conjunction with the Claiborne Parish Jubilee’s presentation of the Mahogany Ensemble Theatre’s production of the play Crowns. The play was preceded by a style show, featuring attire from area merchants. The hats in the exhibition were obtained through requests made to churches and the community through letters, the newspaper, and community contacts. The call for hats was answered by women who are still purchasing and wearing hats today and by those who have been unable to part with hats that they wore through the 1970s. The fifty-five hats collected for this exhibit show the sentiment and continuing interest in this important women’s tradition.

The Louisiana Regional Folklife Program’s folklorist, Dr. Susan Roach, partnered with the Jubilee to produce the interpretive information, install the exhibit, and provide photographs of the event and the hats for this virtual exhibit. Photographs of the individual hats were made by Peter Jones, and the event photos by Roach.

At the production of the play where the audience tables were set for a tea party, many of the women attending wore hats, which expanded the static exhibit. Of particular note were the members of the Red Hat Society, who wear red hats as a symbol of their group.

For more information see Lincoln Parish Hat Exhibition.

Claiborne Parish Jubilee's Hat Exhibition

Black Velvet Pill Box with Grosgrain Ribbon

Label: Juan Elle Modes

Ca. 1959-60

Loaned by Mrs. Anne Robinson Edmonds, Homer

The hat was purchased at Rubenstein’s in Shreveport, Louisiana, and belonged to Mrs. Edmonds and her mother, Mrs. John (Norine) Robinson.

Pink Straw with Veil and Grosgrain Ribbon

Label: Miss Eileen

Ca. 1960s

Loaned by Mrs. Anne Robinson Edmonds, Homer

The hat was purchased at The Woman’s Shop Bella Scherch Davidson, Inc. in Monroe, Louisiana, and belonged to Mrs. Edmonds and her mother, Mrs. John (Norine) Robinson.

Black Straw with Velvet Band with Red Trim

Label: Juan Elle Modes

Loaned by Mrs. Anne Robinson Edmonds, Homer

The hat was purchased in Selber Bros in Shreveport, Louisiana and belonged to Mrs. Edmonds and her mother, Mrs. John Robinson.

Pale Yellow Straw with Cream Grosgrain Trim, Rolled Brim and Bow

Label: Juan Elle Mode

Loaned by Mrs. Anne Robinson Edmonds, Homer

The hat was purchased in Selber Bros in Shreveport, Louisiana, and belonged to Mrs. Edmonds and her mother, Mrs. John Robinson.

Cream Fur Pillbox with Black Stitched Tab

Label: Betmar-New York, Paris

Loaned by Mrs. Anne Robinson Edmonds, Homer

The hat was purchased at Hearne’s in Shreveport, Louisiana, and belonged to Mrs. Edmonds and her mother, Mrs. John Robinson.

Ivory Straw with Grosgrain Ribbon and Veil

Label: Diane

Loaned by Mrs. Anne Robinson Edmonds, Homer

This hat belonged to Mrs. Edmonds and her mother, Mrs. John Robinson.

Red and White Straw

Label: Michelle

Loaned by Mrs. Anne Robinson Edmonds, Homer

This hat was purchased a Jan Leslie custom design, and belonged to Mrs. Edmonds and her mother, Mrs. John Robinson.

Pink Satin with Silk and Velvet Rose Flowers

Label: Christian Dior Chapeauex,

Paris-New York

Loaned by Mrs. Anne Robinson Edmonds, Homer

This hat was purchased at Jan Leslie Custom Design, and belonged to Mrs. Edmonds and her mother, Mrs. John Robinson.

Black Felt Pillbox with Rhinestone Trim

Label: Marché Exclusive

Loaned by Mrs. Anne Robinson Edmonds, Homer

This hat was purchased at Selber Bros. in Shreveport, Louisiana, and belonged to Mrs. Edmonds and her mother, Mrs. John Robinson.

Blue Velvet with Beaded Trim

Label: Vasaré

Loaned by Mrs. Anne Robinson Edmonds, Homer

This hat was purchased at Rubenstein’s in Shreveport, Louisiana, and belonged to Mrs. Edmonds and her mother, Mrs. John Robinson.

Pillbox with Blue, Green and Black Feathers

Label: Terry R

Loaned by Mrs. Anne Robinson Edmonds, Homer

It belonged to Mrs. Edmonds and her mother, Mrs. John Robinson.

Pink Straw with Rose Velvet Band and Pink Flowers

Label: Jan Leslie

Loaned by Mrs. Anne Robinson Edmonds, Homer

This hat was purchased at , and belonged to Mrs. Edmonds and her mother, Mrs. John Robinson.

Black Straw Top Hat, trimmed with Diamonds-Head Turner

Label: CARLOS HATS, New York

Loaned by Sharon Williams, Bernice

This hat was purchased at Martha’s in Ruston, Louisiana for $325.00, and

has traveled to the National Baptist Convention three times: Memphis, Tennessee 2004; Houston, Texas 2005; and Baltimore, Maryland 2006.