The 60 caps chosen for the exhibition were selected from 167 caps recently donated to the Canadian Museum of Civilization by retired nurse Gloria Kay from Conestogo, Ontario. The Gloria Kay Nurses’ Caps Collection covers the years 1895 to 1983 and represents every province in Canada.


Until the 1970s, the trained nurse was instantly recognized by her cap. Each school and hospital had its own cap design and method for indicating the level of training. Today, this symbol of knowledge and caring has all but disappeared. Gloria Kay believed that this tradition should be preserved. In 1974, she began a collection of nurses’ caps, sent to her by nurses all across Canada.


The Canadian Nurses Association and the Canadian Association for the History of Nursing have generously contributed to the exhibition.


Virtual exhibition