45-year hat collection

Ron Haskins, 83, of Gainesville, proudly shows off his massive hat collection in his shop building west of Gainesville. Haskins said he has been collecting hats for about 45 years and has more than 1,000 hats. “I’ve lost count, honestly. I’m not sure how many I have anymore,” he said. Haskins said he traveled around to 30 states working as a lineman, and anytime he would see a hat that he liked he would get it. “Then after a few years people knew I collected hats, so I’d have somebody bring me a hat they thought I might like,” he said. The hats make for interesting ceiling decor in his shop building.