/internal/media/dispatcher/47167/fullRed hat worn by Kennedy supporters in 196019604 × 11 1/2 × 25 in. (10.2 × 29.2 × 63.5 cm)Felt, satin, metal, plastic, cardboardLinda Willis Pool Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza2004.043.00010One red, felt women's hat, with hat box, worn by Linda Willis Pool in 1960 as a supporter of John F. Kennedy as candidate during his 1960 presidential campaign. (See image 2005.018.0007)
The hat itself is made of red felt, and its brim is upturned all the way around. A blue ribbon serves as a hat band, which is pinned (with a metal, blue hat pin) at the back in a bow. The ribbon trails down the back of the hat. Inside the hat is a blue ribbon that goes around the crown to hold the hat on the head. At the back of the hat is a "Neiman-Marcus" label, that also has the number "41" on the reverse indicating the size; the label denotes that the hat was purchased at the store, Neiman Marcus (does not have a brand label).
The hat is stored inside a branded, cardboard hat box; not known if this is the original hat box. The box is octagonal, with a matching lid, and ribbons to tie the lid on. The outside is a brownish gold, with an eagle "KNOX" seal on the sides and top; also a shadow seal throughout. The inside has a cardboard stand on which to store the hat upside down.
Condition - Hat: Overall good; stable condition; some moth eaten areas on top of crown; inside ribbon slightly discolored.
Box: Overall good, stable condition; ties are worn and broken; slight discoloration throughout.Artifacts6635029.210058420110.160020320046208Hat63.5001270003One red, felt woman's hat, worn by Kennedy supporters in 1960.
The hat is made of red felt, and its brim is upturned all the way around. A blue ribbon serves as a hat band; the ribbon is tied into a bow and pinned with a blue-tipped hat pin at the back of the hat. The ribbon trails down the back of the hat. Inside the hat is a blue ribbon that goes around the crown. Inside at the back of the hat is label that reads "Neiman-Marcus" and includes the number "41" on the reverse indicating the size; the label denotes that the hat was purchased at the Neiman Marcus store.
1960 presidential electionKennedy supporterPresidential campaignDemocratsWillis, LindaWillis, PhilNeiman MarcusDallasAn image in the Museum's Anita Hansen Collection shows several woman wearing hats identical to this one, riding in a car in a parade supporting John F. Kennedy for president. The women in the car carry signs urging citizens to visit the Kennedy Campaign Headquarters on Main Street. The parade was held in Dallas on September 13, 1960. Please see the record for 2005.018.0007. - Lindsey Richardson, Curator of CollectionsLinda Willis Pool is the daughter of the late Phil Willis, a 1960 Kennedy campaign volunteer and later an eyewitness to the assassination in Dealey Plaza. Linda Kay Willis, age fourteen in 1963, was also an eyewitness that day, standing along with her parents and sister Rosemary on the south side of Elm Street near the corner of Elm and Houston. - Stephen Fagin, Curator