Railroad Station Baggage Handler's Cap

Description:

This cap, ca. the 1950s, is characteristic of such caps seen at railroad stations throughout North America from the 1920s till about the 1980s. The cloth appears to be silk, which gives a sheen to the cap's fabric; silk was not unusual for red caps.

This cap was used by an employee of the Canadian National Railway, a fact that in no way detracts from the cap's relevance to U.S. railroad history or to African American history. U.S. and Canadian railroads in fact have operated as a seamless, interchangeable rail network from the late 1890s to the present day, and the Canadian National, in particular, historically owned rail lines operating in Michigan. The Canadian Pacific Railway historically owned lines across Maine. Employment conditions for "red caps" at Canadian terminals were identical to such conditions at U.S. depots.

Location: Currently not on view

Subject: African AmericanRailroadsTravel

Subject:

See more items in: Work and Industry: Transportation, Railroad, Clothing & Accessories, Work, Transportation

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: TR.335443Catalog Number: 335443Accession Number: 321737

Object Name: cap, railroad station 'red cap'Other Terms: cap, railroad station 'red cap'; Rail

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-57cd-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_843148

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