Abraham Lincoln's Top Hat

Lincoln, who stood six feet four inches, chose tall hats that made him stand out further. He bought this one from J. Y. Davis, a Washington hat maker; when he acquired it and how often he wore it are not recorded. He last put it on to go to Ford's Theatre on 14 April 1865. After the assassination the War Department kept the hat and other material left at the theatre. With Mary Lincoln's permission it passed to the Patent Office, which transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1867. The Secretary, Joseph Henry, ordered that it not be exhibited 'under any circumstance' and it went into basement storage. The public did not see it again until 1893, when the Smithsonian lent it to an exhibition of the Lincoln Memorial Association.

1. 1865

   Preserved by the War DepartmentA

   Kept with other material left at Ford's Theatre after the assassination.

2. 14 April 1865

   Worn by Abraham Lincoln to Ford's TheatreA

   The last time Lincoln put the hat on.

3. 1867

   Transferred from the Patent Office to the Smithsonian InstitutionA

   With Mary Lincoln's permission; Joseph Henry had it placed in basement storage and not exhibited.

4. 1893

   First shown in public, lent to the Lincoln Memorial AssociationA

5. mid-19th century

   CreatedB

6. Mid 19th century

   Made by J. Y. Davis, hatter, of WashingtonA

Worn by · to 14 April 1865

Abraham LincolnA

Associated with · 1867

Mary Todd LincolnA

Associated with · 1867

Joseph HenryA

Associated with · 14 April 1865

Assassination of Abraham LincolnA

Worn at · 14 April 1865

Ford's TheatreA

Made in

Washington, D.C.A

Exhibited at

Smithsonian National Museum of American HistoryA

1. A

   National Museum of American History, 'Abraham Lincoln's Top Hat' (PL.9321)

   Catalogue record

   ↗ View original record
2. B

   americanhistory.si.edu

   ↗ View original record