Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a recognized affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, Littleton Museum is a true treasure that shouldn’t be missed. A staple field trip destination for school kids throughout the region, the museum is, as those in the know say, “kind of a big deal.”
When the Littleton Museum first considered spotlighting Colorado hat maker Kate Ferretti, no one expected the story to grow so rich and layered. What began as a simple concept quickly blossomed into an ambitious exhibit filled with deep research, surprising discoveries, and a compelling narrative that brings her story vividly to life.
Sarah LaBarre, the museum’s Curator of Exhibits, shares how the exhibit came together. From the initial spark of inspiration to tracking down hats and stories, to making the design choices that bring Ferretti’s world to life, LaBarre offers insight into what it takes to build an exhibit that’s both educational and captivating.
The idea didn’t develop overnight. LaBarre explains it had been percolating nearly 18 months before the exhibit opened. Early on, the team recognized the potential to tell Ferretti’s story through the hats already in the museum’s collection.
As the team dug deeper, the project grew more complex—and fascinating. “At every turn, we learned something new about Kate,” LaBarre says.
It wasn’t just about the hats, but the life behind them—the family, challenges, and Denver’s early 20th-century history. What started as a simple exhibit turned into a deep dive requiring the entire museum team’s research, design, and creativity.
Starting with 12 hats, the collection expanded to 34 pieces loaned or donated from regional sources including the Molly Brown House, the University of Denver, History Colorado, and Ferretti's grandson, a Littleton resident who contributed several family treasures.
LaBarre describes the painstaking process of sifting through archives, family records, and historical accounts to build a full picture. Ferretti wasn’t just a local hat maker—she was a first-generation Italian American whose father helped build the Colorado Capitol, a woman who learned to sew as a child, and a business owner who dressed an entire city for decades. The exhibit needed to reflect all these layers.
Once research was underway, the team focused on how to tell Ferretti’s story visually and experientially. It’s not just hats in glass cases; it’s crafting a narrative that pulls visitors in. Graphics, artifacts, and personal items come together to create an intimate portrait. Visitors get a chance to see the range of her work, from everyday hats to elaborate pieces made for society patrons like the legendary “Unsinkable” Molly Brown.
LaBarre shares that in-house exhibits like this take months of collaboration among researchers, curators, designers, educators, and facility staff.
Since opening in June, the Kate Ferretti exhibit has drawn positive regional attention, deepening appreciation for Colorado’s rich fashion and style heritage. LaBarre is proud of the exhibit’s success but already has her eye on the next project. “It’s always bittersweet to take an exhibit down,” she says, “but we’re excited for what’s next.”
Fortunately, this fabulous exhibit runs through April 19, 2026, offering a unique opportunity to explore the legacy of a true Colorado artisan and to experience the rich tapestry of the region’s past through the lens of her remarkable hats.
It’s not just hats in glass cases; it’s crafting a narrative that pulls visitors in.
Starting with 12 hats, the collection expanded to 34 pieces loaned or donated from regional sources including the Molly Brown House.