Created by
Unidentified
Worn by
Wilds, Phineas Miller, American, 1850 - 1930
Used by
Ku Klux Klan, 2nd, American, 1915 - 1944
Owned by
Rousseau, Richard M., American
Date
1915-1930
Medium
synthetic fiber with rayon
Dimensions
H x W (Robe): 50 1/2 × 35 in. (128.3 × 88.9 cm)
L x W (Belt): 86 1/2 × 1 3/16 in. (219.7 × 3 cm)
H x W (Cape): 56 11/16 × 29 15/16 in. (144 × 76 cm)
Waist: 28 1/2 in. (72.4 cm)
Description
A red Ku Klux Klan (KKK) officer’s (a) robe with (b) belt associated with 2011.144.1.2, a hood. The machine-sewn calf-length robe is made from red synthetic satin cloth. The sleeves are full length with a slight flare near the cuff. The robe has a standing collar that is lined with ivory satin and that closes with two sets of snap fasteners. The robe closes at the center front with seven (7) sets of snap fasteners that run almost the full length of the button band. The robe has lengths of red, white, and blue ribbon sewn near the bottom of the robe approximately 4.5 inches from the hem, and at the cuff of each sleeve. There is a single length of blue ribbon running down the proper left and right front sides. There is a single, center back vent measuring 20.50 inches above the hem. There are red satin belt loops on each side of the waist. Sewn over the proper left and right breasts are machine embroidered patches with an ivory satin cross, detailed in black embroidery, against a red satin background with a “blood drop” embroidered in red, positioned vertically in the center of the cross. The black lines on the patch form a cross with a black diamond in the middle of the cross. The robe is not lined. The robe has an attached red synthetic satin, semi-circular half cape with ivory synthetic satin cloth lining. The half cape has a female half of a snap closure sewn to the proper right side of the bottom, front corner. The male half on the proper left side of the bottom, front corner is missing. The detachable belt is made from blue rayon cord.
Statement
Objects depicting symbols of hate or related to organized hate groups may be offensive and disturbing, but the NMAAHC aims to include them in the Collection to present and preserve the historical context in which they were created and used. Objects of this type provide an important historical record from which to study and evaluate history and culture.
Place used
Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, Florida, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Type
robes
Topic
American South
Associations and institutions
Clothing and dress
Fraternal organizations
Men
U.S. History, 1865-1921
U.S. History, 1919-1933
U.S. History, 1933-1945
White supremacy movements
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Wilds Family Descendants of Nassau County, Florida
Object number
2011.144.1.1ab
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd56fa8f0bd-c06f-48ba-8c60-d266082dd018

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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