Ladies who entered Miss Clement’s millinery parlors on opening days last week were ushered into a veritable bower of beauty and elegance, and if any were there who had formed the resolution to “ make last year’s hat do” for another season it must have been a strong will that did not succumb to the; temptation presented by the beautiful array which was to be seen.
Among all the creations shown The Merry Widow sailor in nile green Milan- shade, with tan and pink cabbage roses, feathers of green and tan, is one of the popular hats for this season, and |was greatly admired.
The Merry Widow hat is characterized by its wide-brimmed style. The width varied, but often hitting around 18 inches. The top of the hat was decorated, often with feathers (often Ostrich), flowers and sometimes even stuffed birds. Black or other dark colors were most commonly used for the hat, but bright shades of beige and purple were also used. With the hair being curled up towards the top of the head and the hat placed on top of that, the two in combination created quite a voluminous look.
Another fashionable hat is in mohair braid, with water lilies and lily of the valley. But they can’t all be described. The only way is to drop in and see them. April 1908– Almonte, Ontario
This story may be true or it may not be true, but as it appeared in The Citizen in 1853, so it is probably true– just like the internet right? It is a good story anyway and is given for what it is worth. If such an excitement as about to be described were to occur today in Walmart would anyone pay attention?
A man from Carleton Place, whose wife mysteriously disappeared, was observed making a circuit of the dry goods houses where she had been in the habit of making purchases. He also wanted to see if she had left any little debts unpaid. This man being somewhat short sighted, mistook a milliner for his wife and begged her to come home again, but the young lady became so terrified that she called for help and presently she was surrounded by a number of the clerks.
They demanded an immediate explanation from the man and elicited the following: “That this woman before them was his lawful wife, that she had left him without just cause or provocation, and he might say because she was treated too well. He also added that his wife had induced him to sell his farm stock, his furniture, and subsequently his house for her special benefit, and to satisfy her whims.
He was no in the poor house so to speak because of her her extravagance, and was bound that she should share his poverty. After relieving himself of this rhetorical rant, he attempted to take the young clerk up in his arms and portage her away. But the clerks interfered, knowing the young lady from her infancy, and ejected the deserted man from the establishment without ceremony.
This done, cold water and other restoratives were applied to the young lady, who had fainted from the shock, and business was resumed in the establishment.
We walked up to one young swain and said, “That’s sure a swell burgundy Ringo cap you have there.” The youth, who would identify himself only as “Bill,” said, most soberly, “This is a John Lennon cap. Ringo caps have some braiding across the front.” We stood corrected. 1966
Marty Taylor– I bought a Beatles cap in Almonte and wore it proudly
Linda Seccaspina-Marty Taylor where did you buy it?
Marty Taylor–Honestly, I bought it at a clothing store very close to the old pool hall but the other side of the street. Any ideas?? Remember any clothing stores located there?
Dan Williams-Was Timmins’s
Marty Taylor-I can picture myself walking out of there with my Beatles cap on but I can’t for the life of me remember the name of the store. Could be Timmins’s. I assume it was across the street and just down from the pool hall?
Dan Williams ––Marty Taylor yep. You mean a dutch boy cap. I believe that’s what John’s hat was
Dan Williams–Donovan wore one and Dylan
Dan Williams–I wanted one so bad but I could never find one. If I’d had the internet then I could have had one in 24 hours. I’m still a hat wearer though so maybe it’s not to late
Barbara Joan Cook–Dan Williams or was it Smolkins (sp) before Timmins?
Dan Williams–Barbara Joan Cook Could be. I wasn’t an Almontonian that far back. A Carleton Place boy me but I was going to high school here at the time. I just went to school and beat it back home.
Sandy France– It was Johnson’s Clothing beside the Superior. Became Timmins. Smolkin’s was beside the Bank of Montreal. Worked there one summer for Moses Smolkin.
Sylvia Coones–Marty Taylor I believe it was called Johnstons back then. Carson Johnson owned it
Marty Taylor–Sandy France Must have been Johnson’s then. That’s the location.
Brian Sonnenburg–It was Johnsons clothing….I bought my black Beatles hat from Carson Johnson.
Sandy France This was the makeup of the South side of Mill Street in the fifties….the order may not be exactly correct and I may have missed someone…but it’s close
Dominion Stores later Mappins/Baker’s Jewellry and Flowers
Milady Beauty Salon
Karl Paupst Groceries
Jimmy Moreau Magazines
Albert T. Gale realtor
Bell Telephone exchange
Ivan Duncan barber
Superior Restaurant
Carson Johnson Men’s’ Wear
Royal Bank
Lewis Carr butcher
Art Smith electrician
Phil Needham shoemaker
Cliff Graham pharmacist
Doug James Confectionary
Winnard (Winnie) James barber shop
Raymond Jamieson Attorney (upstairs)
Moses Smolkin Men’s’ Wear
Bank of Montreal
Harold Proctor shoes
Millview Restaurant
Howard Giles Western Auto store
Stafford Law Office later CJ Newton Attorney
N. S. Lee hardware store
Elmer Carnegie pharmacist
Kinsella’s Esso garage later Irval Motors
Almonte Public Utilities
McCormick’s Ladies’ Wear
Ed Scott furniture later John Kerry
Wilf Snedden pharmacist
Ab Lotan restaurant
Johnny Erskine cold storage later IGA
Eugene O’Reilly had a store on the corner of Mill and Brae Streets and they closed out their business in 1928. Later on J. H. Proctor opened a boot and shoe store, also a harness shop in the back part of the building. On the other corner of Mill and Brae was the Bank of Montreal, then Smolkin’s store, Jas. Cochrane’s Men’s Wear, W. James Barber Shop, George Eades Boot and Shoe Store (Needham and Son, bought out Geo. Eades later on), A. B. Lotan’s Butcher Shop and on the second floor of some of these buildings were four places of business – A. Allan, tailor; R. A. Jamieson, lawyer; T. R. Patterson, dentist; Greig & Greig, lawyers. Mr. Pittard’s printing office was next. He once was editor of the Almonte Times paper. Then was W. D. Lea’s bakery and Laura and Nellie Hogan’s Millinery shop. Though the Hogans now are retired from business they will long be remembered, not only for their millinery work, but also for the kindness they showed to all who called at their shop.
Further along Mill street was Peterson’s Confectionery, Ivan Duncan’s Barber Shop, Telephone Office, W. Lawford’s Store, James Moreau’s store, then the Dominion Store. The last store on the block was Fred Robertson’s, who sold out to Wm. Pimlott in 1928.
Please send me pictures of you wearing a hat. When I was a child my grandmother Mary Louis Deller Knight told me that you were never fully dressed up unless you sports a hat and gloves. Today I have made most of my hat collection and have over 145 hats. It is a true passion of mine and hope one day it all comes back.
Linda’s Hat Challenge… Send me a picture of you wearing a hat.. Amanda Thompson–At a wedding in Calgary last August.
Wanita Bates in one of my creations
Patti Lennox in her mother’s hat
Maryann Morley—Me as Minnie Pearl at the Radio show for Dale Scott
Linda, Here’s me in a hat from my niece’s first communion. I bought the hat at the Real Wool Shop. Theresa Fritz
Cheryl Shore—Me at Upper Canada Village this summer sporting a shade hat 😉
Brenda Mattey—Wedding bound
Not a photo of myself, but my lovely mother Marilyn Devlin.-Susan Devlin
Jean Bright
The beautiful Marilyn Robertson at St. James
Deborah Fleming
Kim Ronzoni’s Kitchen Food Demo for Saputo Foods at Farmer’s Pick
Rogall Photos
Kim Ronzoni’s Kitchen at the Annual Carp Garlic Festival trying to smile for an impromptu photo with fresh garlic in her mouth!
I never wore hats when I was younger but people always compliment me! Kim Ronzini
Louise A Gour
I love hats.. I just never seem to find a good opportunity to wear them. Here’s a picture if me when I was in Australia. Everyone wears a fascinator during the Melbourne Cup in Australia… So I went along. I actually really liked it.
Anne Born
Outside the old St Andrews Church in my anniversary Hat Joann Voyce
Christina A. Preece
Marlene Springer-Mom shopped at Mrs. Shanes for hats for years!
“Curiouser and curiouser!” cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English). —Chapter 2, The Pool of Tears
How funny it’ll seem to come out among the people that walk with their heads downwards! The antipathies, I think—” —Chapter 1, Down the Rabbit-Hole
It was all very well to say “Drink me,” but the wise little Alice was not going to do that in a hurry. “No, I’ll look first,” she said, “and see whether it’s marked ‘poison’ or not.” —Chapter 1, Down the Rabbit-Hole
The best way to explain it is to do it.” —Chapter 3, A Caucus-Race and a Long Tale
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. “I don’t much care where—” said Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat. “—so long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an explanation. “Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.” —Chapter 6, Pig and Pepper
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Have some wine,” the March Hare said in an encouraging tone. Alice looked all round the table, but there was nothing on it but tea. “I don’t see any wine,” she remarked. “There isn’t any,” said the March Hare. “Then it wasn’t very civil of you to offer it,” said Alice angrily. “It wasn’t very civil of you to sit down without being invited,” said the March Hare. —Chapter 7, A Mad Tea-Party
The Queen turned crimson with fury, and, after glaring at her for a moment like a wild beast, began screaming “Off with her head! Off with—” “Nonsense!” said Alice, very loudly and decidedly, and the Queen was silent. —Chapter 8, The Queen’s Croquet-Ground
Moondance Gallery – Barbara Mullaly & Robert Pauly
Jessica Oliver photo
“If there’s no meaning in it,” said the King, “that saves a world of trouble, you know, as we needn’t try to find any.” —Chapter 12, Alice’s Evidence
“Tut, tut, child!” said the Duchess. “Everything’s got a moral, if only you can find it.” —Chapter 9, The Mock Turtle’s Story
“Really, now you ask me,” said Alice, very much confused, “I don’t think—” “Then you shouldn’t talk,” said the Hatter. —Chapter 7, A Mad Tea-Party
So what’s in the box?
So what’s in the box? Find out Thursday when I wear an original Robert Pauly to the All Candidates night:)
Linda and Robert Pauly..
How did I get into hats..?Well…I’ve always had an interest in fashion: as a costume designer, a sculptor, a jeweller. I like the world of fashion. I love the exuberant creations that grace the runways at times: Galliano, McQueen, Westwood. I love to see the hats that accompany the dresses, hovering between fashion and sculpture.My wife and I have collected beads and adornments for a long time. It was inevitable that we should eventually be drawn to hats as a form of personal ornamentation, so we began to collect hats. While maintaining our collection, repairing this one, cleaning that one, I became interested in the structure of hats: how they were put together, the materials used, the forms, and started having my own ideas about hats and what they should look like. I started deconstructing some to see how they were put together.. read more here..
I first entered the millinery business in 1908 in Petrolia, Ontario when I purchased the business from Miss Laura Sharkey. The latest styles from the world’s fashion hot spots such as New York, Paris, Montreal and Vancouver were carried in my shop as well as my own designs.
On December 12, 1948 the following news item appeared in the Petrolia Advertiser-Topic about my business:
Millinery Business To Open in Petrolia
Another new business will be open to the public in Petrolia on Saturday next when Miss Kate Newton, of town, opens the Newton Hat Shop in the former Pearson Block. The building has been completely renovated during the past few months with a new front and display windows and is a real improvement to the appearance of this part of the business section. Miss Newton formerly conducted a hat shop in the Parkinson Block here but for several years has operated a store at Sarnia. Being the only store that deals exclusively in ladies’ millinery the venture should be a success in the capable hands of Miss Newton
I owned and operated a hat shop at a time when few other women were in business for themselves. Ultimately, I chose not to marry and lived at 4227 Henry Street in Petrolia for my entire life. I spent my non-working hours caring for my older brother, Roy, sister Ethel, and my mother. It was said that I was a quiet, caring, women who, like my mother, was an active member of the Crescent Circle of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church where I also taught Sunday School.
After my death in 1968, my home and its contents went on the auction block. Left in the attic were more than 500 hats left over from my former millinery stores, most of which were from the 1920s through to the 1940s. Many were Parisian imports with the original prices tags still on them. Their historical significance was not recognized by most at the time, but the late George Smith, a well-known local historian from Sarnia purchased the entire lot and rescued vintage history.
In the 1990s, that entire collection of hats was acquired by the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec and became the center-piece of an extensive exhibit titled “Hold Onto Your Hats.” My story also became the central focus of a thesis written by curator Tina Bates which examined the cultural history of hats and the millinery trade in Ontario.
On May 25, 1968 my life ended at the age of 85 following a lengthy illness and I was interred in the family plot at Hillsdale Cemetery in Petrolia. I really enjoyed my life with hats and have no regrets as any place that I hung my hat was home. signed, Katherine Newton
Katherine Newton’s only surviving relative is a niece, Hughena, the daughter of her older brother Daniel. Her parents, both of her brothers, and her sister predeceased her.
Comment
Sorry this is long overdue. Went to kates auction 1968. Boughtv a vase but my cat knocked over and broke it, l was told george smith sold hats to someone else.
I enjoyed the story about Kate Newton. She was my mothers cousin.Florence Chambers Young. Her mother was Kathrine Willhemina Georgina (Morrison) Chambers.Kate Newtons mother Annie (Morrison)Newton.There is a grandaughter that Kate bought first store from – Her name was Sharkey she married Dan Newton, and had 1 child. Huwena. Huwena married a Howlett. They had looks like 5 children.one of which is Roberta Howlett that is doing geneology. I try to do a little too.but will be 89yrs this Sept. so i am a little pokey.I remember 👍
Blowing the Lid of Vintage Hats series
Hat LoreTreasure in the Attic: Miss Newton’s Hat Shop
Miss Katherine Newton created hats for the women of Sarnia and Petrolia, Ontario for over thirty years, starting around 1915. In her shops, Miss Newton herself would cut and sew, steam and shape, trim and decorate ladies’ hats, as well as importing the latest ready-made fashions from Toronto and New York.When Miss Newton died in 1968 at the age of 85, a cache of some 500 hats was discovered in the attic of her home in Petrolia. This was old stock from her store, and some of the hats still had their price tags. The Canadian Museum of Civilization purchased these hats, the majority of which date from the 1920s. This extensive collection provides important information about the millinery trade in Ontario, as well as a visual and tactile impression of the kinds of hats that were popular in Ontario in the first half of this century.
Throughout Lambton County’s history some businesses have ignited the public imagination and left an interesting legacy. The Newton Hat Shop is one example, a local business first established in Sarnia and eventually moved to Petrolia, owned by Katherine N. Newton. The Lambton Room is fortunate to have some interesting documentation from Newton’s business.
Newton was a milliner (maker or seller of hats) who opened her first shop in Petrolia in 1918 and continued in business for over thirty years. She created and decorated her own hats but also ordered the latest hat fashions from hotspots like Toronto, Vancouver, New York and Paris. Newton operated two different hat shops, one in Sarnia and one in Petrolia. A newspaper advertisement in the Sarnia Canadian Observer announced the arrival of a store on March 14, 1919 at 129 Front Street (see scan from paper). The stores have been referred to variably as “The Newton Hat Shop” and “Miss Newton’s Hat Shop.” By 1946 the Sarnia location had closed and the Petrolia location was changing locations again, as announced in the Petrolia Advertiser-Topic on December 12: “Another new business will be open to the public in Petrolia on Saturday next when Miss Kate Newton, of town, opens the Newton Hat Shop in the former Pearson block.” Read More here.. CLICK
Moondance Gallery – Barbara Mullaly & Robert Pauly
lindaseccaspina 
I enjoyed the story about Kate Newton. She was my mothers cousin.Florence Chambers Young. Her mother was Kathrine Willhemina Georgina (Morrison) Chambers.Kate Newtons mother Annie (Morrison)Newton.There is a grandaughter that Kate bought first store from – Her name was Sharkey she married Dan Newton, and had 1 child. Huwena. Huwena married a Howlett. They had looks like 5 children.one of which is Roberta Howlett that is doing geneology. I try to do a little too.but will be 89yrs this Sept. so i am a little pokey.I remember 👍