Hat, Top, Hat Box - Senator Joe T. Robinson
Object numberOSHTL2008.070.05
Date1930
MediumLeather with red satin lining.
Dimensions9 x 14 1/2 x 11 in. (22.9 x 36.8 x 27.9 cm)
Credit LineOn loan from Grady Miller, Jr.
DescriptionTop hat worn by Senator Joe T. Robinson during Franklin D. Roosevelt's United States Presidential Inauguration in 1933 and hat box. The top hat is black and was manufactured by Dunlap & Company of New York. The hat box is brown leather and includes two pillows displaying the trademarks of Lord & Taylor (pink) and Dunlap & Company (linen).During his address at Centennial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas, on June 10, 1936, FDR praised Robinson as a politician and friend: “Arkansas has given many distinguished men to the Nation; but, my friends, I want to tell you very simply and from the heart, that in the meeting of our difficult problems of today, no man deserves greater credit for loyal devotion to a great cause of humanity than my old friend and associate, Senator Joseph T. Robinson.”
Joseph Taylor "Joe T." Robinson was born on August 16, 1872 in Lonoke County, Arkansas. After graduating from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Robinson won his 1894 campaign for state representative. He later won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1902, a position he held for a decade. In 1912, Robinson ran for governor and won. However, Senator Jeff Davis died of a heart attack before Robinson was inaugurated. Robinson decided to run for Davis' seat and won. During his short time as governor (1913), Robinson created a state banking board, a state health board, and the Arkansas Highway Commission. On March 8, 1913, Robinson officially resigned the governorship to take his Senate seat. He died of a heart attack on July 14, 1937.
Status
On view
