Vintage hat collection to be presented

VW independent staff and submitted information

PAULDING – For the first time since 2014, the John Paulding Historical Society will host a Spring Tea & Hat Show. The event will be held from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at 600 Fairground Drive, Paulding, across from the Paulding County Fairgrounds.

An assortment of teas will be brewed and served with tasty tea sandwiches, fruit compote, petit fours and eclairs.

Young ladies from Paulding High School FFA will model some of the museum’s extensive collection of vintage hats, dating from the 1910s to the late 1960s. Many of the hats will be on display especially for the tea and special music will be presented to entertain guests.

Each table will be uniquely decorated, most with heirloom or vintage tableware. There are 11 decorators, each designing her own table.

“Bring your sister, mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt or friends, wear a hat or spring-themed accessories and enjoy a delightful afternoon with us,” event chairman Eileen Kochensparger said. “Our tea and hat show is just in time for Mother’s Day. It would be a wonderful way to celebrate.”

Presale tickets are $15 each and are available at the museum Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. or by calling 419.399.3667 (leave message), or Kochensparger at 419.399.5818. No tickets will be sold at the door.

The idea to hold the tea and hat show this year was inspired by the more than 300 hats donated to the museum over the years – a kaleidoscope of colors, styles, seasons, materials and trims.

“We were brainstorming new ideas and one of our newest members, Elizabeth Miller, asked about the hat collection,” Kochensparger said. “She had attended the one held in May of 2014 and wondered why we hadn’t done one since. We asked our fellows to climb into the ‘attic’ and bring down the large collection of hats and we were amazed at the beautiful hats that are still in good condition.”

This event is an important fundraiser for the historical society, which is a 501c3 charitable organization.

Committee members are Kochensparger, Mary Friend, Jean Schooley, Jane Stouffer, Joyce Nichols, Kathy Denny, Mary Shafer, Tonya Meyer, Shannon Ruschel, Elizabeth Miller and Staci Miller.