This hat belonged to Mr William Grant, Shire President of Bacchus Marsh. Mr Grant and his wife were invited to the opening of the first Federal Parliament held in the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, on the 9th May 1901. The opening was attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later George V and Queen Mary) and 12,000 guests. Mr Grant's family were early settlers in Bacchus Marsh, and both he and his father were influential people in the town. They owned the property "Millbank". When William Grant died in 1924, his obituary in the 'Express' listed 17 public positions he held, including severaal terms as Shire President.This item has historical significance at a local, state and national level. It is representative of formal gentlemen's dress in the latter part of the 19th century/early 20th century.Gentleman's black shiny velour top hat with silk ribbon band, bound inside with leather sweat band, adjustable with silk ties. Inscription inside hat. Purple lining with gold embossing. Light canvas coated inside. Protective silver paper sweat band under leather sweat band.Inscription in gold inside hat reads "GREASE PROOF / Prize Medal" / Royal Insignia with motto "Honi soit qui mal y pense" / "VENTILATED / AND / FELT BANDED".1910, top hat, gentlemen s fashion, mr grant, velour, ninteenth century attire, skilled hatter, upper class attire, formal wear, monopoly token, president bacchus marsh shire, federation celebrations 1910, federation, owner millbank, mad hatter, opening parliament 1910, royal exhibition building, original box, greaseproof prize medal royal isignia, the sea breeze, no 5044, size 6, 7 8

Program for the first opening of Parliament after Federation. Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert (1865–1936), Duke of Cornwall and York was the second son of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The visit was part of an Empire tour and a tribute to the response made throughout the Empire during the Boer War. On their return to Britain the couple were proclaimed Prince and Princess of Wales and, on the death of Edward VII in 1910, became George V and Queen Mary.White coloured folded program, printed in purpleFront page/cover: UK Coat of Arms In Celebration of the Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. To meet their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. Reception by His Majesty's Ministers of State for Australia, at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on the 9th May, 1901. Middle pages: Programme (items listed) Back page/cover: Refreshments Will be Served all the Evening on the Ground Floor and in the Galleries 1901, opening of parliament, duke and duchess of cornwall and york, royal visits