The Green County Historical Museum has in its permanent collection many examples of clothing and textiles over the past 160 years. The fur coat shown here was donated by the late Mrs. Lewis (Fleda) Moore and Mrs. Carson (Lucy) Sowl.

The coat was owned by the donors' aunt, Miss Lettie Brewer. The donors wore this coat, as well as an identical one owned by their mother, Jane (Brewer) Smith. They wore the coats when they drove four miles to Albany High School in the winter with a horse and cutter. The fur coat was made from Australian wombat fur. A wombat is a large burrowing marsupial resembling a small bear. Wombats are found in southeastern Australia, Tasmania and several other Pacific Islands. Wombats arose from the same stock that produced kangaroos and possums, and their closest relative is the koala. Wombats produce extensive tunnels that are large enough for an adult person to access. The fur on the coat is very dense and wiry. The color of the coat is a blend of brown and beige.

Wombats are on the endangered species list in Australia; consequently, you are unlikely to see wombat fur coats made again. Australians are very fond of their wombats and many books and children's stories have been written about them.