Collection Highlights
The Puritan
1899
1946.253
Dark brown/ black patinated bronze
Support the New-York Historical Society
Help us present groundbreaking exhibitions and develop educational programs about our nation's history for more than 200,000 schoolchildren annually.
Museum Collections
Luce Center
Hardee hat (good thing)
Title
Hardee hat (good thing)
Object name
Dress hat
Date
1858-1865
Medium
Felt, feather, metal
Dimensions
Overall: 6 x 14 1/4 x 13 3/8 in. ( 15.2 x 36.2 x 34 cm )
Description
Black felt dress hat with cylindrical, flat-topped crown and wide brim; blue worsted hat cord with two tassels; gilded metal bugle and letter "C" attached in front; one black feather on right side of crown.
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. De Witt M. Lockman
Object Number
1931.75
Marks
stamped: inside top of crown: "U. S. Army / [eagle] / EXTRA / MANUFACTURE / 4"
Gallery Label
This type of hat, referred to as a "Hardee hat" or "Jeff Davis hat," was adopted by Jefferson Davis for military use while serving as President Franklin Pierce's Secretary of War (1853-57) and later worn by both the North and the South during the Civil War. Officers' hats typically had brims with edges bound with silk braid; the number of feathers (1-3) was also an indicator of the wearer's status. Our hat is missing the gilded brass "eagle" that secured the brim to one side of the crown.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
