Manufactured by
Bentley and Simon, Inc., American
C. M. Almy & Son, American, founded 1892
Worn by
Beasley, Louis J., American, 1907 - 2001
Date
mid 20th-late 20th Century
Medium
synthetic fiber and velvet, with plastic buttons and metal closure
Dimensions
H x W ((a) Flat): 57 1/2 × 20 in. (146.1 × 50.8 cm)
H x W ((b) Flat folded): 43 3/4 × 24 3/4 in. (111.1 × 62.9 cm)
H x W ((b) Flat open): 41 × 18 in. (104.1 × 45.7 cm)
Description
A robe (a) and hood (b) worn by Army Chaplain Louis J. Beasley. The robe (a) is made from a black synthetic fabric, with black velvet trim. The robe is ankle-length with full, bell sleeves and heavy pleating at the shoulders and along the back yoke. The robe has a hidden center closure. The robe closes with one (1) metal hook-and-eye closure at the neck, followed by eight (8) olive green buttons. The front seam is hidden under velvet panels that run the full length of the front of the robe and wrap around to make a velvet-trimmed collar. Each sleeve is decorated with three (3) black velvet, horizontal chevrons. At the right seam, there is one (1) 7-1/2 inch slit that opens to the interior of the robe. The interior of the robe is unlined, except for two (2) sweat guards that line each armhole.
The decorative hood (b) is made from the same type of black synthetic fabric as the robe. The hood is designed to be worn at the wearer's neckline, fastened to a robe beneath, then cascading down the wearer's back. The hood is constructed with two (2) unlined tails, that, when worn, are concealed by the hood's lining. The hood is lined in a white synthetic fabric, followed by rows of black, white, and red, and finished by a wider band of blue. The entire interior edge of the hood is trimmed in red velvet. This same piece of red velvet wraps around to form a 4-1/2 inch panel underneath the lined portions of the hood and the collar, so that when the hood is worn, the red velvet panel is visible at the neckline. At the neckline of the hood, there is one (1) loop of black cord to secure the hood to the robe worn below. At the top of the lined portion of the hood are two (2) buttons that connect by a black cord, and when fastened they ensure that the lined portion of the hood remains open and visible.
Place made
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Clothing-Historical
Type
hoods (headgear)
academic robes
Topic
Clothing and dress
Men
Military
Religion
Segregation
Worship services
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Louis J. Beasley Family
Object number
2013.205.5ab
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5bd85fad1-1f71-4c75-9b83-c5b8fde53a59

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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