This is a 1942 newspaper clipping from The Sacramento Bee, announcing a new exhibit at Sutter’s Fort: a collection of intricate hair wreaths, described as sentimental works of art from the 1840s.
During the 19th century, hair art was both a popular craft and a deeply personal expression of sentiment. Woven from human hair, these creations often took the form of wreaths or jewelry and were cherished as tokens of love, remembrance, or mourning. Hair wreaths were particularly popular among families and friends, symbolizing connection and memory. Artisans crafted delicate designs of flowers, leaves, and vines, transforming hair into lifelike replicas of nature.
Artifacts like the hair wreaths—some of which may still be part of the Sutter’s Fort Archive Collection—connect us to the human stories of the past, while also inviting reflection on how we tell those stories today.
Sharing clippings like this allows us to see how exhibits, events, and even the structures at Sutter’s Fort have changed over time. If you’ve visited Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park in recent years, you’ve likely noticed the strides being made to reimagine its interpretation and exhibits.
As you read this, we invite you to reflect on how history is preserved and presented—and how our understanding of the past shapes the future.
Here is a Youtube Video that talks more about woven hair art from a collection at the Mütter Museum – it shows a well-preserved collection of Victorian Hair Art.
Link to Newspaper
