Hat Museum of S. João da Madeira

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Aveiro > São João da Madeira > São João da Madeira > Fontainhas

Location

The Hat Museum is integrated into the urban fabric of São João da Madeira, located in the Fontainhas area. This site is part of an area that reflects the city's industrial past, being accessible and integrated into local daily life.

A Story Made of Hats and People

Opened in 2005, the Hat Museum occupies a significant section of the former premises of Empresa Industrial de Chapelaria, locally known as "Fábrica Nova" (New Factory). The choice of this building was not random, as it is itself a physical testimony to the intense manufacturing activity that marked the identity of São João da Madeira.

This space was carefully adapted to house the museum, preserving part of the factory's original structure and giving a new purpose to a place of great historical significance for the community.

Testimonies of the Hat Industry

Inside the museum, visitors will find a vast collection of objects that tell the story of hat production in Portugal, with a particular focus on the importance of São João da Madeira as a center for this industry. The collection includes various machines and tools that were essential in the manufacturing process, from the raw material treatment to the final finishing of the hats.

In addition to the equipment, the museum gathers images, documents, and testimonies that illustrate the working environment in the factories and the way of life of the many people, men and women, who dedicated their lives to this activity. It is a way to give face and voice to those who, day by day, built this industrial heritage.

An Experience of Discovery and Reflection

A visit to the Hat Museum is designed to be more than just a simple observation of old pieces. It seeks to provide an experience that stimulates the senses and invites reflection.

The journey through the museum allows visitors to understand the different phases of hat production, the technological evolution over time and, above all, the social and human impact of this industry on the growth of São João da Madeira. It is an opportunity to understand how the work in hat-making shaped the city and the lives of its inhabitants.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt