History of the Museum
The Hat Museum is overseen by the City Hall of S. João da Madeira, in 1996.
History of the MuseumConcept and vocation of the museum
A space of memory, creation, and identity
The Hat Museum is more than an exhibition space—it is a living center for research, sharing, and reflection on the hat industry and its social and cultural impact. By valuing tangible and intangible heritage, the Museum's mission is to preserve collective memory and inspire new generations to develop know-how and innovation.
Exploring the essence and vocation of the Museum
Essence of the hat museum
The Hat Museum is conceptually oriented to the theme of millinery industry, exposing issues related to industrial production, commercialization, the social habits and economic impact. The Museum is also a place for reflection, study and research of a reality that has shaped the history of the city but also the history of the Portuguese industrialization.
An active and educational museum
It is a socially active space and a cultural and pedagogically useful institution, that evokes multiple stories and memories, contributing to deepen and spread the knowledge of the identity and culture of the region.
Cultural itineraries
In this context, the Hat Museum is the starting point for other cultural itineraries that touch additional points of interest around the history of the industry in the region, and opens the visit to other themes, offering the visitors a refined and interesting vision of the local history and reality.