FOR STARTERS at the museum
EDYTHE & MARIE ’ S HAT SHOP
WORDS : SUZY QUICK PHOTOGRAPHY : JOSEPH C . GARZA
Visit the History Center
The Vigo County Historical Society and Museum is located in the Vigo County History Center at 929 Wabash Ave . Hours and information available at www . vchs museum . org .
Edythe & Marie ’ s Hat Shop opened in the 1920s . There couldn ’ t have been a better time to launch such an endeavor as ladies fashion trends were center stage and to top it off , designer hats were in high demand . Shop owners Edythe K . Ross and Marie Voges operated first from a shop next to the Indiana Theatre , before moving to 125b S . Seventh Street . During a time when most downtown business owners were male , Edythe and Marie worked to establish their trade , building a strong reputation for friendly service and quality craftsmanship .
Some shoppers recall , to this day , taking a blouse , dress or sample of fabric to Edythe & Marie ’ s to have a custom hat designed to match . The acclaimed service is just one of the reasons the little hat shop on Seventh Street left such a lasting impression . The wooden hat stand and black felt hat were items originally from the ladies hat shop .
Not all the hats in the collection of the Historical Museum can be identified by their shops , but those made by Edythe & Marie ’ s proudly represent the legacy of the women who created them .
January / February 2022 • Terre Haute Living 13