In my search to find out whether Lincoln’s hats were beaver or silk, I came across your Stories from the Vault. How very perfect! I guide elementary school groups through our new Colorado History Center in Denver and one of our exhibits is of Bent’s Fort where we talk about trade, Native Americans, fur trappers. We encourage the students to handle the animal skins and hold many of the trade items. The fort was in existence from 1833-1849. When discussing the beaver pelt I love asking them if they remember Lincoln’s stovepipe hat. I can now say, definitively, that he did have one made from beaver. And that it still exists. Interesting to know that it probably was from Russian beaver, since there was little fur trapping going on in the west after 1850. Thank you so much!