Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Coatee |
Catalog Number |
2006.23.6 |
Maker |
The McLilley & Co. (Columbus, Ohio) |
Date |
ca. 1918 |
Material(s) |
Wool/Brass |
Dimensions |
H-33.5 W-18 inches |
Description |
This is a cadet uniform coat from the Millersburg Military Institute in Bourbon County. It is a solid gray, single-breasted, fitted coat with "swallow" tails. It has three columns of large "bullet" shaped brass buttons on the breast. The central column of eight buttons function as closures while the two flanking rows of eight are purely decorative. The decorative buttons tapper in toward the waist. The buttons on the right and left breast are connected to the central column of button/buttonholes by black decorative diagonal piping. The buttons on the right and left breast are sewn into the center of tri-foil shaped piping. The coat has a standing collar with a single brass button on each side. The collar is embellished with black piping and two hook and eye closures on the collar. There is a starched white removable cotton collar with "G.M. Chinn" written on the inside. The coat has long fitted sleeves with large chevron shaped shoulder patches indicating rank. The shoulder patches are outlined in gold trim constructed of metal threads over cording on black felt. There is a column of three round brass buttons on the sleeves sewn at the center of three sections of the V-shaped cording. The V-shaped piping on the sleeves end in tri-foil designs. There are six round brass buttons on each tail with the same piping design as the sleeves. The coattails are lined with wool. The coat is lined with quilted white cotton and the sleeves are lined with white cotton. The bottom three buttonholes are reinforced with a brown leather lining. There is a horizontal welt pocket on the inside proper left and a vertical pocket on the inside proper right. |
Notes |
Worn by George M. Chinn (1902-1987). Chinn's name appears in a 1918 school catalogue in the KHS Special Collection. This catalogue lists his name as enrolled in the 1917 school year. Chinn became the nation’s leading authority on automatic weapons. A Marine veteran of WWII and the Korean War, Chinn observed combat use of weapons. His findings led to the Navy sponsored five volume series on the evolution of automatic weapons. In 1960 he became director of the Kentucky Historical Society. The Millersburg Military Institute (MMI) in Bourbon County, Kentucky closed its dormitory doors for the last time in the spring of 2006. The school, founded in 1893 by Col. C.M. Best, was the only military academy still in operation in the state. This closure marked the end of Kentucky's rich history of military academies. At the time of its closing the school was a coeducational boarding school. It was founded as the Millersburg Training School and changed its name to MMI in 1898. The school was all male. Although primarily intended for KY youth it drew students from other states. The school was relocated in 1921 from the old campus of KY Wesleyan College to an 18-acre property known as the Sanfor Allen homestead. |
Collection |
KHS Museum Collection |
People |
Cincinnati Regalia Company The McLilley & Co. Chinn, George M., 1902-1987 |
Subjects |
Uniforms Military academies Military officers Military schools Military uniforms Cadets |
Search Terms |
Millersburg Military Institute (MMI) Millersburg (Ky.) Bourbon County (Ky.) |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |