Abraham Lincoln’s Stove-Pipe Hat
Elementary School
Abraham Lincoln’s Stove-Pipe Hat
Student Activities:
• Students create a stove-pipe hat to keep their important papers in. Visit
http://www.ehow.com/video_2259619_make-paper-stovepipe-hat.html
• The hat in the photo belonged to Abraham Lincoln and it was made of beaver fur. Read about beavers
and their fur. Bring in a sample of beaver fur for students to see and touch. Ask students why beaver fur
is a good fabric for a hat to be made of?
• Mr. Lincoln carried many important papers in this hat. The lining inside the hat is expanded from papers
being stuffed inside it. Mr. Lincoln also wore it when he talked to people and made speeches. Students
take on the role of Mr. Lincoln’s stove pipe hat and write a paragraph about their experiences with
Lincoln and how they feel being this very special artifact.
• Students research cultures having a tradition of carrying items on their heads.
• Students carry backpacks, which leave their hands free. Lincoln’s hat functioned in the same way.
Students design a hat or other container to carry lighter items on their head.
• No other artifact is as iconic Abraham Lincoln as the stove-pipe hat or top hat. When wearing this hat,
which was 7 inches high, Mr. Lincoln stood more than 7 feet tall. Find something 7 feet tall in your
classroom or school. Imagine Abraham Lincoln standing there.
UnderHisHat.org 1 Middle School
Abraham Lincoln’s Stove-Pipe Hat
Research: Have the students research the fabric the hats were made of and the locations of the two other hats
that were verified as worn by Lincoln. Discuss why he had several of the same style hats made from different
materials? When do they think he wore the beaver fur hat? Why?
Research Hat Structure: As stated in the summary, this hat is one of three hats confirmed to be worn by
Abraham Lincoln. The cost of the hat during Lincoln’s time would be a day’s wage, showing how important
this item is in the Taper Collection. Details are listed below based on the hat as well as a few research
opportunities.
Rim of Hat: Lincoln’s finger prints are visible on the rim of this hat.
• Explain why Lincoln’s fingerprints are still visible today on the rim of the hat.
• What do these fingerprints demonstrate about Lincoln’s character?
Lining of Hat: Expanded due to papers being stuffed into the inner lining
• What qualifies a document as special?
• How close do we keep our written work in our possession?
Outer-Material: The hat is made out of beaver fur.
• What are the benefits to owning a hat made out of beaver fur?
Observation: Allow students to create a list of the most “famous” people today (according to them). Once
students create their list, allow them to put the names in a T-chart and associate each person with an object, look,
phrase, etc. that will be remembered for years to come.
• Is it possible for all “famous” people on the list to be associated with something?
• Why does the stove-pipe hat symbolize Lincoln?
• How did Lincoln and his hat gain such fame?
• Re-define “famous” after completing this activity.
Research: Where are the other two hats confirmed to have been worn by Abraham Lincoln held?
UnderHisHat.org 2 High School
Abraham Lincoln’s Stove-Pipe Hat
Brainstorming: Few people in history are ever identified with a single item or article of clothing as Lincoln
was with the stove-pipe hat. Have students compile a list of other people that have been similarly linked and
pictured with a specific item or clothing.
Research: Have the students research the fabric the hats were made of and the locations of the two other hats
that were verified as worn by Lincoln. Discuss why he had several of the same style hats made from different
materials? When do they think he wore the beaver fur hat? Why?
Discussion of Etiquette: Wearing of hats in Lincoln’s time was both fashionable and practical. It is thought
that Lincoln actually carried legal documents in his hat to keep them warm and safe in a waterproof container.
Have students discuss the rules of etiquette that would explain the finger marks on the brim. Have students
discuss some of today’s rules of etiquette (ex. handshaking) that should be followed. It could also be fun to have
the students research the social conventions from other areas of the world and discuss them.
Observation: Allow students to create a list of the most “famous” people today (according to them). Once
students create their list, allow them to put the names in a T-chart and associate the famous people with an object,
look, phrase, etc. that will be remembered for years to come.
• Is it possible for all “famous” people on the list to be associated with something?
• Why does the stove-pipe hat symbolize Lincoln?
• How did Lincoln and his hat gain such fame?
• Re-define “famous” after completing this activity
Research: Where are the other two hats confirmed to have been worn by Abraham Lincoln held?
UnderHisHat.org 3