Men’s military and fraternal organization hats, like women’s hats of the time, often included feather decorations.

William Sheafe (1861-1935) of Portland and Millbridge owned this General Regulation chapeau featuring a red Masonic cross emblem and Ostrich feather plume in the center. Maine Historical Society caretakes Sheafe’s entire Mason’s uniform, along with two photographs of Sheafe and his wife, Mary Etta Sheafe.