Hang onto Your Hats!’ exhibit opens at Tiskilwa Historical Society

TISKILWA — Just in time for the blustery winds of February, the Tiskilwa Historical Society is opening a new exhibit, “Hang onto Your Hats!” today, Saturday, in the Timeline Gallery at its Museum on Main.

Wanda Sims Wagner has hauled her hat collection from the walls of Wanda’s Waves on West Main down the street to the museum where she has put together a delightful exhibit of hats belonging to current and long-ago Tiskilwa residents.

Wagner explains that her collection began back in the 1990s when her longtime beauty shop customer, Thelma Casper, decided to close her family home in Tiskilwa and move to Eau Claire, Wis. Inspired by Thelma’s five of hats feathery finery, Wanda’s patrons soon started adding to the collection that now totals more than 50 hats in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and materials.

Wagner’s nostalgic and often whimsical collection includes hats from more than 15 stylin’ Tiskilwa ladies and gents — including Elza Moses, B.J. Fredenhagen, Janet Wagner, Keck and Mary Gerber, Louise Pfleger, Margaret Hunter and Phyllis Ioder. If there were a Cuteness Award, it would have to go to the Easter bonnets worn way-back-when by Dorothy and Fran Ary’s little girls. There’s even a mirror and a basket full of vintage hats so that visitors can try on a chapeau of choice.

This special exhibit will be in place until May 26. The community is invited to stop by the museum any Saturday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to share the memories and the fun.

On March 3, the Tiskilwa Community Association will host a free movie at the museum. The society’s next Monday-night program will be March 12, featuring Connie Swanson’s visual history of barns and how their architectural styles reflect the early years of our country.