To celebrate the opening of HAT CITY, a history & art exhibit inspired by The Oranges’ role as a hatmaking hub in the 19th and early 20th centuries, join us for this special presentation:

A History of Hatmaking in the Oranges

with Joseph Fagan, West Orange Town Historian

Did you know that The Oranges were once a center of the global hat industry? From 1852-1921, the area was home to as many as 50 hat factories, a large portion concentrated in the Orange Valley, located in present-day Orange and West Orange. In its peak period, these factories had the capacity to produce 30,000-40,000 hats per day. In 1892 alone, nearly 4.8 million hats were produced for global sale. Companies included some of the biggest hat manufacturers of the era, like F. Berg & Co. and the Stetson family’s "No Name" Hat Company. The hat-making sector shaped the labor market and social fabric of the Oranges, and while many of its structures have been destroyed, its legacy can still be felt today.

To commemorate this history, the West Orange Public Library presents HAT CITY, a unique exhibit that combines local history and contemporary art inspired by this chapter of our region's past. Join us on Sunday, April 6 at 2pm to learn about our region's fascinating history from our encyclopedic local treasure Joe Fagan. Stick around after the presentation to meet featured artists and be among the first to visit this special exhibit.

The Hat City exhibit will be on display April 6 through June 20.