Reservations (REQUIRED) for The Hat Museum:
503-232-0433, $15.00

10AM - 6PM

Great Links!
www.self-sabotage.com
www.iHITtheROAD.com
www.justalyce.com/lrh.html

Contact us:
503-232-0433 or justalyce@usa.net

The Hat Museum
at the Ladd-Reingold House

In the early 1900’s Mrs. Rebecca Reingold, a trained milliner from Russia, moved into the largest house on Ladd Avenue in Portland’s newest development: Ladd’s Addition. Nearly 100 years later the Reingold family still seems very much in evidence here along with their photographs and over 900 hats.

Ladd’s Addition was the first attempt at city planning on the west coast...and the design of William S. Ladd, early Portland businessman who platted the neighborhood in 1897. Built in 1910, the Ladd-Reingold House has its share of quirks: doors hung backwards, secret hiding place, pocket doors, a dumb waiter and the only furnace damper still attached to the library wall. A lifesized mermaid is painted on the coved ceiling in the dining room.

The last Reingold left the house over 60 years ago. Since then the property has had its share of strange times including complete abandonment for five years in the early 70’s. Through a series of coincidences, a hat fancier (unaware of Mrs. Reingold’s history with hats) bought the house which is now on the National Historic Registry. The unusual connections between the original homeowner and the current homeowner warranted a feature on´ HGTV’s “If Walls Could Talk.” Evidently these walls speak fluent hat.

“I called it the Monster House when I first saw it,” said Alyce Cornyn-Selby who began the extensive restoration. This author/adventurer (and milliner--named the “Mad Hatter” by the Oregonian) lived in the house for over 30 years, kept her vintage cars here and filled the house with eccentric collections of mermaids, dice, hands and, of course, hats. Other bizarre items include: a couch made from a 1966 Cadillac, a British phone booth, a rare “Soundie” machine, John Steinbeck’s door stop and a 1940 Ford coupe that ran on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

There are five different collections in The Hat Museum--vintage hats, men’s hats, novelty hats, hundreds of retro “today” hats and international 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 cap, Sherlock Holmes’ deerstalker, elaborate Victorian creations, vintage Stetsons are all here in this dramatic cross section of favorite headgear. There is something here for everyone. For the serious hat collector there are designer hats: Otto Lucas, Eric Javits, Kokin and Lilly Dache and Schiaparelli.

You’ll see the evolution of hats, learn why they were originally not a fashion statement and you can discover how the importance of hats permeated the language. “To throw your hat in the ring.” “My hat’s off to you.” “I’ll eat my hat.” “With hat in hand.”

Preserving cultural heritage... and our costumed interpreters have the most fun you can have with a hat on!

One of Oregon’s most unusual historic homes has been transformed into Portland’s quirkiest attraction. The Ladd-Reingold House has a 100-year legacy of milliners and hat fanciers! (We’ve been bonkers for hats even longer than you have!)

Limited accessibility.
Stairs and steps (but with handrails)!

5 FABULOUS COLLECTIONS of HATS

1. Antique and vintage hats
From 1860 to 2008 in a house that has a legacy of hat makers! Learn historical facts about hats, origins, lore and hats in language.

2. Men’s hats
From a rare straw top hat to beaver felt cowboy hats, an unusual cross section of hats from the heads of men!

3. Novelty and costume hats
A giant tea cup, a salmon, a table, a parrot--yep, they’re ALL hats! Hats that do “tricks”! Hats that fold, hats that sing, hats do more than hide rabbits!

4. Today’s Fabulous Hats
Stunning tea hats, retro creations and what’s new for today’s hat fancier!

5. International Hats
Take a round-the-world look at headwear from Ukraine to Scotland, Afghanistan to the Philippines.

Reservations: 503-232-0433

DIRECTIONS:
Detailed directions will be emailed or faxed or mailed to you when you make your reservation. Easy, free parking.
6 minutes from downtown Portland!

The Hat Museum is located in the historic Ladd-Reingold House, listed on the National Historic Registry and featured on HGTV, Fox 12 "Good Day, Oregon", AM Northwest, Portland Monthly, NBC, CBS, the Oregonian, Willamette Week, Oregon Home and the National Enquirer.

Reservations for The Hat Museum,
503-232-0433, $15.00
10AM - 6PM

For women who love hats but don’t know where to find a hat that looks perfect on their own heads, check out the variety available for sale in The Hat Museum’s gift shop.