Exploring Luton’ s hat history through new technologies

A new framework of teaching heritage

Hats to the future is a new and innovative way of engaging young people with heritage in a classroom setting, Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The need for this project came from identifying the lack of awareness and civic pride though recognition of Luton’s rich history of the hat trade and its contribution to Luton's development and contribution to the textile industry. Luton is synonymous with hat-making. It is in the town crest, the football team is known as the hatters, monuments and hat factories still stand, and the emerging cultural district has been branded as the Hat District. Unfortunately, this heritage and how this represents the town’s industrial history is losing depth and significance. A young person growing up in one of Luton’s wards will not easily engage with this part of our heritage through the current resources available and an alternative is needed.