Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Top Hat
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston MA
Top Hat
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston MA
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, Boston, MA holds the copyright to this image Copyright and other proprietary rights in material on this site may be held by individuals or entities other than or in addition to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The John F. Kennedy Library does not warrant that the use of materials displayed on this site will not infringe on the rights of third parties, such as artists or artists' heirs holding the rights to these works. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy copyright or other use restrictions before copying,transmitting, or making other use of protected items beyond that allowed by "fair use," as such term is understood under the United States Copyright Act. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum respects the intellectual property rights of others. The John F. Kennedy Library may, in appropriate circumstances and at its discretion, remove, disable and/or terminate access to any material on or linked to or from this site that it suspects to be infringing upon a third party's intellectual property rights or other rights.

Top Hat

Artifact IDMO 2009.3.177
Object Type Hat
Date 1955-1960
Date Worn1/20/60
Maker (American, Founded 1908)
Place WornWashington D.C., United States
Medium beaver fur, felt, silk, wool, leather, moire silk
DimensionsSize 7 1/2"
Physical DescriptionBeaver fur top hat with black felt band and grosgrain silk rim. Interior of hat reads, "Dobbs 5th Avenue NY / Lewis & Thos Saltz Washington". Hat has a 1 3/4 inch wide black plain weave silk brim and a 5 1/4 inch high crown. The interior is lined with white moire silk.
Historical NoteThis top hat was worn by President Kennedy to his inaugural ceremonies in Washington D.C. on January 20, 1961.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation Inc.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Place WornWashington D.C., United States
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesJohn F. Kennedy Personal Collection (National Archives Identifier 76055731)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteThis material is not subject to any known copyright or other image use restrictions.
In Collection(s)
Not on view