Stockport, just outside of Manchester, boasts England's first and ONLY museum entirely dedicated to the exciting world of hatting (i.e. the history of hats and hat making). How could I resist this? The museum even has free admission!
Actually, I thoroughly enjoyed the
Hat Works Museum. The basement contained arcane and bizarre looking machinery. I could just hear Raymond Scott's "Powerhouse" tick tocking along as the machines whirred, clicked and buzzed separating fur and shaping felt hats.
The remains of the last existing hat block shop, which closed in 1976 when it's 90 year old hat block maker died, captured my photographic attention. Wooden shapes were carved and duplicated on "copying machine" lathes. The boiled and shrunken cones of felted furs of beaver, rabbit and nutria were pulled and shaped over these hat blocks.
The back corner of the bottom floor also had a full sized example of a "hatter's cottage." Clearly, hat making was not a historically profitable livelihood, the kitchen and "living area" was the size of my bathroom. Quaint.
The first floor contained extensive exhibits behind glass of historic and show piece hats showcasing different materials and uses. There's a fine line between art and utility with hats. I know I for one could use a tiny cauliflower hat!
I am a little disappointed by the gift shop. As I walked through the hat making exhibit, I convinced myself that it would be awesome to buy a felt hat from the hatting museum. There were only a handful of hats for sale, and they were available from Christie's. Poo on Christie's. Instead, I've added to my now growing collection of souvenir guide books.