One of the earliest objects in the fashion collection at the Centraal Museum is this "yellow felt hat with high crown and wide brim" from the first quarter of the 17th century. It is not only its age that makes this hat unique, it is also the fact that it was "found in the Burgerweeshuis, between the brickwork of an old, thick wall." The Burgerweeshuis (state orphanage) was located on Oudegracht 245 in Utrecht. This is an illustration of the unique way in which a museum collection may come into being. Amazingly enough this hat has withstood the test of time and is in exceptionally good condition.