Montana Folklife Demonstrator
Montana Mad Hatters | Twin Bridges, MT
The story of Montana Mad Hatters began with Kirkpatrick Custom Hatters in the small town of Wisdom Montana. Sheila Kirkpatrick opened the doors in 1983, shortly after her daughter Ericka was born. That didn’t slow Sheila down one bit. She did what most women of the West have had to do—take their youngins’ with them while they worked. Ericka grew up in the hat shop and learned the art of hat making from the best. Sheila was inducted into National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1992 for her skill and creativity in the hat world. Sheila has made hats for the working cowboy as well as celebrities such as Cheryl Ladd (Chris Munroe on Charlie’s Angels), Tim Scott (Pea Eye on Lonesome Dove), country-western singer Hank Williams Jr., and T.V. personality Willard Scott, to name a few. The state of Montana even commissioned Sheila to build a hat for the 41st U.S. President George H.W. Bush.
After 15 years of building Kirkpatrick Hatters, Sheila decided to sell her business and help full-time on the ranch. However, hat making kept calling her back and Montana Mad Hatters was born, making its home in Twin Bridges, Montana, in the heart of the Ruby Valley. Ericka has worked alongside Sheila, gaining the knowledge, experience and most importantly, the passion for making hats. After 40 years, Sheila decided to hand the reins to Ericka, who continues the legacy of integrity and quality of craftsmanship in every hat.