Mayor Mark Boughton
DANBURY – The city’s hat making heritage is being celebrated today during the first annual Hat City Danbury Day.
The idea is to mark the city’s history as the former hat making capital of the world one day each year by encouraging Danburians to wear hats.
People who want to participate may email pictures to info@danburymuseum.org, or join Mayor Mark Boughton in posting a hat picture on social media with the hashtag #Hatcityday.
The mayor reached out to teachers and students to take part in building the tradition as well. Schools were given historical background about the city hat-making heritage.
In 1800, for example, Danbury was manufacturing more hats than anywhere in the United States. By 1887, 30 factories in town were making 5 million hats a year.
Hat day was the idea of City Council members Andrew Wetmore and Thomas Saadi.
“Our recognition as “the Hat Capital of the World” was based on the hard work and passion of our forefathers,” Wetmore said. “And on December 2nd we celebrate their impact on our community.”
A ceremony was planned at 7pm at City Hall, including an unveiling of a proposed Hat City monument.
“Our mission is to have this be a day that will honor our rich past, while teaching future generations about our story,” Saadi said.