Celebrate Mad Hatter Day at Sheffield Historical Society
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We will read from the Mad Hatter tea party scene in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and then learn how to make a hat. Choose between two hat patterns, but trim your hat however you would like! Tea and crumpets will be served to all participants.
The second event will be a Wear-Your-Hat Party in the Old Stone Store from 1 to 3 pm. If you haven't had an opportunity to see the exhibit yet, please join us this weekend for the closing reception. Both events reference the Society's Antique Hats Exhibit in the Gallery at the Old Stone Store, which runs through Sunday, June 21.
Mad Hatter Day was chosen from the illustrations by John Tenniel in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, wherein the Mad Hatter is always seen wearing a hat bearing a slip of paper with the notation "In this style 10/6". This notation, likely an old order to make a hat costing ten shillings sixpence, became the inspiration to behave in the style of the Mad Hatter on 10/6, which is October 6 or June 10, depending on how you read dates. We are choosing to read it as 6/10 since June 10 falls within the dates of the Society's Antique Hats exhibit.
Mad Hatter Day, generally observed in October in the U.S., falling almost exactly half a year from April Fools' Day, fills the need for a second crazy day of the year. The real spirit of Mad Hatter Day is turnabout: the nonsense we usually have to pretend is sane can be called madness for one day in the year; the superficially crazy things that really make sense can be called sane on Mad Hatter Day. For example, sometimes the snow comes down in June/ sometimes the sun goes round the moon. That may sound absurd, but it's true too… to some observer, that is. It's all simply a matter of perspective!
What do people do on Mad Hatter Day? In general, we celebrate silliness. Take a look around you, drop your assumptions about what must be proper and normal, and see how much of it is really just silly. Better yet, try to find something that does make sense! But don't hurt anyone. Save the real pranks for April 1! Consider this a kinder, gentler Fool's Day.
The Old Stone Store Gallery and Gift Shop is open weekends Saturday, 10-2 pm and Sunday, 11-3 pm. For more information about Society exhibits, please visit us on the web at www.sheffieldhistory.com. If unfamiliar with the center of Sheffield, the Old Stone Store is the mottled stone building located on the town Green, while the Education Center is the asymmetrical building behind the Dan Raymond House, 159 Main Street.
