GUESS WHAT – THERE IS A TERRIFIC HAT MUSEUM RIGHT DOWN THE BLOCK IN PORTLAND, OREGON

Did you know that there is an amazing historic hat museum in Portland, Oregon that has over 900 hats and a story for each hat and each century? Well, I just happened to be in Portland, Oregon last week and I stumbled upon this historic house-museum in the Ladd-Reingold House.

The madam in charge is Hat Historian, curator and headwear connoisseur Alyce Cornyn-Selby. Alyce may very well be the only living human being who knows the history and heritage of every hat on the planet. She even has an original collapsible top hat and a hat with a compartment to pull out a rabbit.

If you think you know about hats, forgetaboutit…you probably don’t. Cornyn-Selby can set you straight about any hat feature or figure. Her enthusiasm and information will have you reeling in the right direction. And the house (built in 1910) is pure history – there’s nothing like it on the planet.

There are hats from the 19th century on up to the present, as well as rooms full of period clothing with matching hats. When Alyce told me the tour was an hour and a half my first reaction was, “what can you say about hats?” But after listening to this hat historian and curator I realized that time was of no essence. I was hooked by her knowledge and her incredible selection of antique artifacts.

The house was originally owned by a Russian milliner, Mrs. Rebecca Reingold. It was also the largest house on Ladd Avenue (six minutes from downtown Portland). Even though it’s been 100 years, the Reingold home is still very much in tact. There are doors hung backwards, a secret hiding place, pocket doors, a dumb waiter and the only furnace damper still attached to the library wall. There’s even a life-size mermaid painted on the coved ceiling in the dining room.

The collections are divided into four groups (and are on two floors) --vintage hats, men’s hats, novelty hats and retro hats. “The rooms of this 1910 Craftsman-style home have become display venues for each of these collections. Hats range from the common (souvenir hats) to the rare (a London straw top hat) to the very funny (a Thanksgiving table hat that sings), nurse’s caps, a Sherlock Holmes’ deerstalker, elaborate Victorian creations and a vintage Stetson,” said Alyce.

For the serious hat collector there are hats by Otto Lucas, Eric Javits, Kokin, Lilly Dache (the Michael Jordan of hat designers) and Schiaparelli. There’s also a Sherlock Holmes’ deer stalker hat.

There is also a compelling gift shop (even I succumbed) with all types of hats, jewelry, antique vintage-looking shawls and dresses with beading, feather boas, books and antiques. It is a trip into the annals of hat history that will amaze you!

To make a reservation for a tour, contact Alyce - 503-232-0433 or www.thehatmuseum.com - The Hat Museum at the Ladd-Reingold House.

THE HAT MUSEUM	ALYCE Cornyn-Selby