Hats are as old as humans' needs to keep their heads warm and shade their eyes from the sun. At one point of their evolution, hats became fashion statements, the perfect toppings for wardrobe ensembles.

The history of hats in Lancaster County parallels that of the larger society in which it dwells, with one glaring exception.

"I have always loved hats, and I often wear hats," said Lisa High, who will be donning a hat during her upcoming talk at Garden Spot Village. "I just love wearing hats. Hats are seasonal, hats are an accessory and some people have to wear hats to work. Most of the time I wear hats. Some people love shoes. I love hats."

High will present her informational, educational and entertaining program at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, inside the chapel at Garden Spot Village, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland. High's program is simply titled "Hats!" and will focus on the versatility of hats, their functionality and style, as well as their local history, especially how it relates to the iconic Bollman Hat Company in Adamstown.

The "Hats!" program is free to attend, and everyone is welcome.

"For the program, history gives you a perspective of what kinds of hats people were wearing," said High. "The style may reflect what's going on in that period of history. They reflect each other. I'm presenting history in this program. It's history as it relates to hats and to this time period and how it relates to the Bollman Hat Company."

"I'm a librarian," added High. "I read a lot, all different genres, but especially history. We can learn from our past."

Sponsored by the New Holland Area Historical Society, High's program will last about an hour. She will address her audience for the initial 45 minutes and then entertain questions and comments over the final portion.

"My style is energetic, enthusiastic, educational and fun," said High, a resident of Salisbury Township. "We try on hats. The audience can participate as we talk about the history of hats. It's for men and women. It's an interactive presentation that uses historic reproductions of hats."

High's presentation will include a collection of 16 women's hats and 16 men's hats - each from a different period of time - on loan from the Bollman Hat Company. Those planning to attend the program are encouraged to wear their favorite hats.

"Hats have a purpose," said High. "Over the years, hats were worn as protection for your head. In the military, hats are worn as part of uniforms. There are all kinds of hats people have worn for different purposes throughout the ages. I invite people to journey back in time to see the evolution of hats."

Founded in 1868, the employee-owned Bollman Hat Company, which is located at 110 E. Main St., Adamstown, is believed to be the oldest hat manufacturer in the United States. The company employs 300 workers and also operates a factory outlet store next to its working factory.

"I am not an employee of the Bollman Hat Company," said High. "I put together this program because I love hats. They consider me an ambassador. I want people to know about this wonderful company that's right in our backyard. It's Lancaster County history. That's what's important to me."

"It's important to know (Bollman Hat Company's) history," continued High. "In my program, we talk about the history of our nation and all these hats that have been manufactured over the years. Over the years, they have made styles such as the top hat, bowler, fedora, cloche and pill box, just to name a few."

High began presenting her "Hats!" program in 2012. On average, she gives her talks about once a month to libraries, church groups, women's groups, historical societies and retirement communities.

"I needed a program for a Mother's Day event at our church," said High. "I had been up at the (Bollman Hat Company) outlet, and I was looking for a hat for myself, and I saw the display they had. I thought, 'What a great idea for my program.' It just went from there."