Museo dell'Arte del Cappello

About the museum

The museum occupies part of the original buildings of the Panizza hat factory in Ghiffa, a company that produced hats sold all over the world from 1881 to 1981; in 1950 it reached its peak with 240,000 hats. The last owner, Antonio Gamba, donated the building, and in 1994, at the wish of former hatters, the factory became a museum open to the public.

The route presents original machinery and materials, photographic archives, rare films and prints that illustrate the stages of production, from sodatura (stiffening) to dyeing, from informatura (shaping) to cerchiatura (fitting the band) and rasatura (shearing). A documentary and photographs complete the visit, because the machines alone would not be enough to explain the trade.

In 2007 a collection of ethnic hats donated by Vittorio Fesce was inaugurated; the museum also holds a collection of dolls on loan from Eloisa Signorelli, many of them wearing small elegant hats. The Associazione Pro Museo del Cappello runs the museum and offers educational activities, workshops and lectures.

Highlights

• Original machinery and tools of the Panizza hat factory
• Documentary and photographs of production
• Collection of ethnic hats donated by Vittorio Fesce
• Collection of dolls with small hats

Permanent exhibition

• Il cappellificio Panizza e la produzione dei cappelli – Original machines and materials, films and photographs on the stages of hat making; collection of ethnic hats and dolls.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Associazione Pro Museo del Cappello

Visitors per year

approx. 881

Admission & discounts

Free admission for residents of Ghiffa.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance is reached by a flight of steps; for wheelchair users, a mobile platform is available on request when booking.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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