Monday, June 6, 2011

Whatever happened to Jackie Kennedy's Pink Hat-- Part 3

Sometime in the next six months, a box containing the suit, blouse, handbag, shoes and stockings arrived at the National Archives headquarters with a note on the stationary of Janet Auchincloss, Jackie Kennedy's mother with the words, "Jackie's suit and bag worn Nov. 22, 1963."

The box was the one originally sent by the dressmaker addressed to "Mrs. Johm F. Kennedy, The White House. Archivists put it in stack area 6W3, where it remained for more than 30 years.

It was sort of a secret that they had it, which led to a little embarrassment when Parade Magazine called in 1996 with a reader question about the hat.

In the mid-1990s, the suit was moved to a new archives building. In 2003, a deed of gift was secured from Caroline Kennedy, by then the sole surviving heir which stipulated the suit not be displayed for the life of the deed--100 years.

As far as the hat is concerned Clint Hill gave it to Mary Gallagher, Jackie's personal secretary. When contacted by phone. she refused to discuss the hat.

Hat, Hat. Who's Got Da Hat? --Cooter

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