Rustic Relics

From small town Waynesville to a lasting American legacy, John B. Stetson’s story passed right through here. ✨

After being diagnosed with tuberculosis as a young man, Stetson headed west in search of adventure and a healthier climate. During his travels through mining camps and frontier towns, he began making durable felt hats for fellow travelers using the hat making skills taught to him by his father. The waterproof hats quickly became popular across the American West.

As his health improved, Stetson decided to return east and turn the idea into a business. On his way to start his business in Philadelphia, he stopped in Waynesville to visit his sister on South Main Street, where she gave him $60 to help him get started, a small act that helped launch what would become one of the most recognizable hat companies in the world.

His famous “Boss of the Plains” hat became an icon of the American West, and his company grew into one of the largest hat manufacturers in the world. Beyond business, Stetson became known for providing fair wages, medical care, and opportunities for thousands of workers long before many companies offered such benefits.

Today, the Stetson name remains part of American history, with one small chapter of that story beginning here in Waynesville.

Learn more about our hometown hero at History Day & Night at the Museum this Saturday, May 16. 💛