This hat was made in the 19th century, and tests confirmed it still contains mercury. Photograph by Ron Wood, Courtesy Bata Shoe Museum In the 18th and 19th century, a lot of men’s felt hats ...

William Brown (1824-1892) was a successful 19th-century Worcester upholsterer and carpetmaker. A free man, Brown came to Worcester from Boston, establishing his trade here in 1841.