Hat

Object Name:

Hat

Object ID:

2018.003.03

Place of Origin:

Cork, Ireland

Date:

circa 1980

Description:

Hat worn by Mary Louise Hancock (1920-2017) of Concord, NH. Wool tweed. Exterior band of same fabric, 0.7" wide, with buckle and 16 lapel pins. Two additional pins attached above band, one on front and one on back. Reddish brown fabric lining with embroidered label attached to crown: "THE / Blarney / HAT / FROM IRELAND", with image of a castle. Printed paper label adhered to inner band: "WOOL/LAINE / 100% PURE NEW / MADE IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND / T. O'Gorman & Sons, Cork". Printed size label attached to lining: "6 7/8 / 56".

Lapel pins attached to hat band:
"ERA / YES"
United Way logo
"AMERICAN / REVOLUTION / BICENTENNIAL / NEW HAMPSHIRE"
"MONDALE / FERRARO"
Ladybug, "NH"
"AICP" (American Institute of Certified Planners)
Flying bird (loon?), feathers on metal
American Ecology flag
"THE DEWAR / HIGHLANDER"
American and Canadian flags on one pin
"VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES"
Five-pointed star
New Hampshire State Seal
"Easter / Seals / 1989"
New Hampshire, "100 / '78", with donkey

Pin on front: "NOW"
Pin on back: copper cat

Material:

Textile
Wool

Dimensions:

H-6 W-8 L-10.5 inches

Provenance:

Born in Franklin, NH, Mary Louise Hancock (1920-2017) moved with her family to Concord in 1928. It was in her father's drug store that she grew up and absorbed a steady diet of politics from discussions of state workers and politicians who frequented her father's store at 132 North Main Street. Although stricken with polio at age 3, she overcame her disability, going on to graduate from the University of New Hampshire in 1942. In 1943 Hancock began working for the New Hampshire Travel Division, and went on to hold a succession of jobs in the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, and Office of State Planning, serving as its director from 1960 to 1976. In 1976 she began a career in state politics, serving as the first woman and Democrat representing Concord in District 15 of the State Senate. She became a force in state politics and an advocate for women's rights.

Credit Line:

Gift of the Estate of Mary Louise Hancock

People:

Hancock, Mary Louise (1920-2017)

Subjects:

Equal rights amendments, Presidential candidates, Presidential elections, Loons, Birds, Ecology, Scotland, American flag, State seal (NH), Democratic Party, Cats, Women's rights, Political activists, Ladybugs, Political action