The Nantong Foremost Hat Museum, located in Chongchuan district, Nantong, Jiangsu province, is a treasure trove of unique and contemporary hat designs from different eras and cultures, teaching visitors about global hat culture.

Established in 2014, this private museum is one of the largest and most comprehensive hat museums in China, despite its modest size of less than 2,000 square meters. Housing over 6,000 hats from various historical periods and regions, the museum offers a rich tapestry of headwear styles.

According to Huang Meiyun, the museum's deputy director, Foremost stands out with its innovative exhibition approach. According to Huang, the museum is divided into five main halls: Chinese Hall, European Hall, Ethnic Hall, Straw Hat Hall, and Occupational Hat Hall, along with two transitional halls and two special exhibition halls, each showcasing the unique characteristics of different types of headwear.

For the average visitor, the museum provides not only an opportunity to delve into the cultural significance behind hats but also a chance to explore the fusion of cultures and creativity through fashionable pieces.

The "National Museum Cultural and Creative Demonstration Space" located inside the museum's Boyi Building showcases a wide array of cultural and creative products from over 1,000 top museums nationwide, including Foremost's own hat products and designs, enabling residents of Nantong to purchase trendy cultural and creative products from across the country right at their doorstep.

The museum's chief operating officer, Guan Xin, said that over the years, Foremost has hosted events like the China International Hat Design Competition and the China Hat Festival, along with poetry contests centered on hats. Through these innovative initiatives, the museum continues to increase the cultural significance of hats through various interpretations, using hats as a medium to promote cultural exchange and creativity.

Various hats are showcased at the Nantong Foremost Hat Museum. [Photo/Nantong Daily]