Proud Pilgrim Hats

Investigate the authentic clothing worn by European immigrants to North America then create historically accurate hats to wear in reenactments.

• 1.

  Research information about the immigrants from cities in Europe who came to the Wampanoag village of Patuxet, Massachusetts in 1620. You will find that the clothing they brought with them was mostly wool and linen, with some leather. These immigrants wore reds, yellows, purples, and greens, as well as blacks and grays. Their hats were simple, with no buckles or bows. Men's hats were usually felt, shaped like an angular bell. The women's hats, called coifs, were gathered circles of linen, which covered their hair.

• 2.

  To create a replica of an authentic Plymouth colonist <b>man's hat</b> with paper maché, tear several long strips of newspaper. Cover a table with more newspaper. Mix equal amounts of Crayola® School Glue and water in a recycled container.

• 3.

  Cover another hat-sized recycled container such as a plastic ice cream tub with a damp paper towel. Dip newspaper strips into the glue mixture, and wipe away the excess. Drape strips over the tub, letting them spread onto the table to make a brim. Cover the entire tub. Use more strips to coat the perimeter and brim of the hat. Smooth out the strips as you go. Dry between each two or three layers. Trim the hat with Crayola Scissors, leaving a broad brim.

• 4.

  To design a <b>lady's coif</b>, crumple a large ball of newspaper to use as a form. Saturate two half-sheets of newspaper with the paper maché glue mixture. Drape the wet paper over the crumpled ball. Secure it in place with string around the outer edge. Dry. Trim the edges in a circle.

• 5.

  Paint both hats with Crayola Tempera Paints and Paint Brushes. Dry.

• 6.

  Reenact your understanding of life in 17th-century Massachusetts while wearing these hats. What other props do you need to portray authentic history? <b>Close adult supervision is required to assure children's safety. When children wear hand-crafted co

Benefits

• Children research authentic information about the clothing worn by urban European immigrants who came to live in the Wampanoag village of Patuxet (now Plymouth, Massachusetts) in 1620.
• Children recognize the types of hats worn by men and women now known as Pilgrims, and create hats that are historically accurate.
• Children reenact their understanding of the life of these immigrants and their relationships with the Native Americans in the area.

Adaptations

• Gather more information about the immigrants who in later centuries became known as Pilgrims. Why did they come to North America? What did they learn from the Native Americans in the area, including the Wampanoag and Massachuset? What happened to the orig
• Create authentic costumes for a play about live among the immigrants and the indigenous American peoples. Write the script, rehearse, design the sets, then perform the play for your class.
• Use these hats for a harvest celebration centerpiece. Arrange a bed of colorful fall leaves, gourds, and Indian corn. Place the hats in the center as a reminder of the traditional story about the first Thanksgiving feast.