In the introductory part of the exhibition, you will gradually learn about the technological process of hat production. You will discover the magic behind the creation of hats and observe how the material changes during the individual stages of processing. Authentic video footage from various sections of the factory production process will immerse you in this fascinating manufacturing process. You will also learn about important milestones and events connected with the hat-making tradition in the Nový Jičín region.

The history of hat-making in the Nový Jičín region is explained through historical information panels. You can also discover additional information from the world of hats in the film corner, which has been modernised with financial support from the Moravian-Silesian Region. The interactive hat-maker game with Master Prokop is now even more entertaining, and the control panel is more user-friendly …

The cinema corner is primarily used for screenings of popular educational films about hat production in several language versions. You can also watch films from the world of fashion, while the youngest visitors can enjoy fairy tales featuring Bob and Bobek, the Rabbits from the Hat.

The Hat Exhibition introduces visitors in an entertaining way to the technological process of producing headwear and to technical monuments, including the hat factories that were established in Nový Jičín in the 19th and 20th centuries. It presents the rich history of hat-making for which the city can be proud as the only one of its kind in the Czech Republic.

The display case next to the film corner features unique collection items, including part of an exceptional collection belonging to a prominent Israeli fashion designer specialising in hats and headwear, who also collaborates with the Czech Republic.

The exhibition is complemented by exhibits of production machinery.

Virtual reality

The main new feature is the introduction of virtual reality, which has attracted considerable attention. Thanks to VR headsets, visitors can be transported directly into the production facility of TONAK and watch the entire hat-making process with their own eyes. This unique experience offers a glimpse behind the scenes of one of the most important hat-making companies, areas that are normally inaccessible for safety reasons. The new technology includes special stands with seats, VR headsets and a programmed virtual environment that enhances the interactive experience of the entire exhibition.

Blinds with a Story

In 2025, the Hat Exhibition was enhanced with 11 vertical textile blinds featuring original printed designs. They replaced the original blinds in the section dedicated to hat production technology and the atelier. In addition to providing better light control and a higher-quality presentation of audiovisual equipment, the blinds also introduce visitors to important personalities connected with the industrial history of Nový Jičín, such as industrialist, architect and patron August Hückel and factory owner and merchant Max Preisenhammer. In this way, they bring visitors closer to the stories of the people who shaped the local hat-making tradition.

The project is co-financed from the budget of the Moravian-Silesian Region.