Collection of unique hand-made hats and costumes for puppets and marionettes, by repute used by the famous puppeteer Bil Baird (1904-1987). Included are 20 hats including Leprechaun hats, top hats, a graduation cap, and tam o' shanter. There are also about five articles of clothing, a pair of moccasins, and a moveable puppet arm. All are hand made and decorated.

The following is a list of the contents of the collection:

3 Leprechaun hats
2 Top hats
1 Turban
1 Chinese hat
1 Safari hat
1 Prairie bonnet
2 Triangle hats
1 Soldier helmet
1 Sailor hat
1 Beret w/ red pom pom
1 Cowboy hat
1 Farmer hat
1 Graduation cap
1 Chef hat
2 Horserider helmets
1 striped night shirt
1 pair striped pants with suspenders
1 pair khaki pants
1 blue velvet jacket
1 blue wool blazer
1 pair leather moccasins
1 puppet arm
1 wooden phone with receiver

Bil Baird was an internationally-known puppeteer. Based in New York City, he performed around the world during a 60-year career. His wife Cora was also an integral part of his company until her death in 1967. Born in Nebraska and raised in Mason City, Iowa, Baird parlayed his childhood interest in puppets into a sophisticated form of artistic expression. After graduating from the University of Iowa in 1926, he spent a year studying theater arts, interior design and drawing at the Chicago Academy of Find Arts, followed by a sojourn in Paris. By 1928 he was in New York, working with the leading puppeteer of the time, Tony Sarg. In 1934, he started his own company.

The Baird Marionettes performed on Broadway, in movies, on television and throughout the world during the following decades. Their credits include the marionette performance to the song Goat Herd in the Julie Andrews movie The Sound of Music. He also performed at the Chicago and New York World's Fairs, and designed several floats for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. In 1967, Baird opened a six-story puppet workshop in New York, which became the center of his activities. He also authored The Art of the Puppet (1973), still considered an important book on the genre. The largest collection of Baird's work belongs to the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum in Mason City, where it is featured in a permanent exhibition.

References:

"Bil Baird Biographical Timeline." Mason City Tourism. http://www.masoncitytourism.com/html/baird_timeline.html (25 May 2004).

"Collections." MacNider Museum. http://www.macniderart.org/baird.html (25 May 2004).