ABOUT THE HAT MUSEUM

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

From the oldest hat factory was born, in 2005, the Hat Museum.
Unique in the Iberian Peninsula, the museum is a tribute to men and women who transformed hat industry into one of the most important activities in the region's history.
Visit the Museum and discover the images, machinery, tools and hats that illustrate the magical world of hats, but also the human, social and cultural dimensions of a community for whom, since ever, this activity has taken a prominent role.
Explore the long-term exhibitions and get to know the lives of workers of this industry. Learn how to make a hat. Step back in time, to a time when no one got out into the street without a hat.
Come and make this journey with us and have fun with guided tours, workshops and educational proposals we have prepared just for you.

HISTORY

HISTORY

The Hat Museum is overseen by the City Hall of S. João da Madeira. In 1996, the municipality purchased the building of the most important hat company of the city and various machines and tools that belonged to this and several other companies that closed during those years.
Today the museum has several awards, is accredited and integrates the Portuguese Museums Network.

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THE MUSEUM’S CONCEPT

THE MUSEUM’S CONCEPT

The Museum is conceptually oriented to the theme of millinery industry, hat's commercialization, social habits and economical impact. It aims to be a place for reflection, study and research of a reality that shaped the history of the city and the region.

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THE EMPRESA INDUSTRIAL DE CHAPELARIA

THE EMPRESA INDUSTRIAL DE CHAPELARIA

The Empresa Industrial de Chapelaria was founded, in 1914, by José António Oliveira Junior, whom S. João da Madeira was grateful. He also received, by the government of its time, the Diploma of Industrial and Agricultural Merit.

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SERVICES

SERVICES

The Hat Museum is a permanent and non-profit institution, created for the collective interest, with regular public access, which provides a range of services that globally contribute, in a daily basis, not only to promote its mission but also to ensure compliance with all of its museological functions.

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VENUE HIRE

VENUE HIRE

The Hat Museum has several spaces available for your event. For instance, the museum restaurant is a beautiful space for organizing social events, such as business breakfasts or lunches, celebration of special events, cocktails, private parties, etc. To turn your event into something really special, you can also book a thematic visit to the museum.

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TOURING EXHIBITIONS

TOURING EXHIBITIONS

Hats have always exerted a great fascination. Social, cultural and identity symbols, the hats tells us many stories about who we are, who we were and even who will we be.
The Hat Museum has several exhibitions prepared for itinerancy, available for museums, libraries and other cultural institutions.
See our list of exhibits available.

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PUBLICATIONS

PUBLICATIONS

Check the list of publications available in our shop.

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DONATE

DONATE

The Hat Museum is available to receive your hat and take care of it.
If you have objects related to hat industry and has no conditions to preserve them correctly, you can get in touch with the team. Tell us the story of that object and the history of the person who used it, and  transform the Hat Museum into your own museum.

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