Ku Klux Klan robe from the Wilds Family Plantation
- Created by
- Unidentified
- Owned by
- Unidentified
- Used by
- Ku Klux Klan, 2nd, American, 1915 - 1944
- Date
- 1915-1944
- Medium
- synthetic fiber and metal snaps
- Dimensions
- H x W (flat): 51 1/4 × 34 in. (130.2 × 86.4 cm)
- H x W (flat): 29 1/4 × 43 3/4 in. (74.3 × 111.1 cm)
- Description
- A Ku Klux Klan (KKK) robe worn by a member of an undetermined rank. The calf-length robe is made from ivory synthetic satin and has full-length sleeves that are slightly flared near the cuff. The robe has a neckband that is lined with red satin and that closes with two sets of snap fasteners. Seven (7) snap fasteners run almost the full length of the button band at the center front. The robe has bands of red, white and blue ribbon sewn near the bottom of the robe approximately five (5) inches from the hem. There are single red ribbon bands at the cuff of each sleeve and running down the proper left and right sides of the button bands. The robe is not lined and there is a single, center back vent measuring 20.75 inches from the hem. There are ivory satin belt loops on each side of the waist. Sewn over the proper left breast is a machine embroidered patch with an ivory satin cross outlined in black against a red satin background with a “blood drop,” embroidered in red, oriented 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 design is typically referred to as the "Mystic Insignia of a Klansman" (MIOAK). The robe has an attached ivory synthetic satin semi-circular half cape with red synthetic satin lining. The half cape has a snap closure sewn to either side of the bottom, front corners.
- 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-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
- 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
- 2012.27
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.