On View
Segregation Gallery
Exhibition
Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
Created by
Unidentified
Used by
Ku Klux Klan, 2nd, American, 1915 - 1944
Date
1915-1944
Medium
cotton with buckram
Dimensions
H x W (hood): 24 1/2 × 17 1/4 in. (62.2 × 43.8 cm)
H x W (hood liner): 13 1/4 × 11 1/2 in. (33.7 × 29.2 cm)
Description
A Ku Klux Klan (KKK) hood with attached mask (a) and a hood liner (b). The hood is conical-shaped with a back flap with rounded corners. It has been made from plain, white cotton and has a red colored, cotton tassel attached at the point of the hood. Six and a half centimeter, round eyeholes have been cut out of the front of the mask and stitched to prevent fraying.
The white hood liner has been shaped using buckram, edged at the crown in brown, painted canvas.
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.
Classification
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Type
hoods (headgear)
Topic
Associations and institutions
Clothing and dress
Fraternal organizations
Men
United States History
White supremacy movements
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Therbia Parker
Object number
2013.55.1ab
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd55e6b5113-698e-4dd1-b47a-90f8bba74fde

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

Share this page