The evolution of The Boy Scouts of America uniform

By kalebessa

  • Introduction

    Introduction
    The Boy Scouts of America was officially founded on February 8, 1910, in Silver Bay, NY. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has played an important part in developing young men as it helped cultivate the youth with the necessary skills and discipline. Throughout the existence of the BSA, there have many adjustments such as the change of membership restrictions to become more inclusive but also their uniforms.

  • Introduction

    The uniform is an important aspect of the Boy Scouts. Regarding the change, uniforms in the present appear to be more expressive as members can earn patches and attach them to their uniforms. To represent this change I have gathered images of BSA uniforms throughout the years. This exhibit will show the change in the style of uniforms from the founding of the BSA, around the 1910s, to the present times. After the exhibit, the audience will understand the changes in the uniform.

  • BSA (ca. 1912)

    BSA (ca. 1912)
    William, Hassler. Frank Rogers Hassler (teenager) in Boy Scout uniform. ca. 1912. Photograph. Artstor. William D. Hassler photograph collection. https://library.artstor.org/asset/AWSS35953_35953_39973622.

  • BSA (ca.1912)

    This picture most likely shows the first style of the Boy Scouts' uniforms. The picture was taken around 1912. In the picture, a young boy is pictured wearing an older BSA uniform which appears not to have any patches. Compared to the newer uniform version, this one looks less flashy and sharper.

  • BSA

    BSA
    Amdursky, Ralph. Earl Babcock watching while Howard, his brother, in his Boy Scout uniform, practices tying knots. 1943 Mar. Photograph. Rochester, New York. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2017849319/.

  • BSA

    This picture was taken around 1943. In the picture, there are 2 boys and one appears to be a boy scout since he is wearing the uniform. The boy wearing the uniform is tying knots according to the title of the picture which could've been a skill he learned from the Boy Scouts. The uniform again does not have many patches or designs.

  • BSA (ca. 1945-1951)

    BSA (ca. 1945-1951)
    Wenkam, R. Boy Scouts placing leis and flowers on the crosses marking the graves of the veterans buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Some show men, women and children, possibly family members of the deceased, visiting the graves.. photographs, contact prints, gelatin silver prints. ca. 1945-1951. Photograph. Honolulu, HI. https://library.artstor.org/asset/SCHLES_130752471.

  • BSA (ca. 1945-1951)

    This picture was taken around 1945-1951 in Honolulu, HI. 3 boys in this picture are wearing the Boy Scouts uniform and are paying respect to fallen soldiers at a National Cemetery. While the uniform generally looks similar to the previous version there is one visual difference. The uniforms in this picture begin to have patches which could explain when patches became more popular.

  • BSA Present

    BSA Present
    Cole. The Importance And History Of The Scouting Uniform. 2019. Photograph. https://scoutsmarts.com/scout-uniform-history-and-importance/

  • BSA Present

    The modern BSA uniform was created in August of 2008 and is used by the members. Patches are also visible on the uniform. Along with the addition of patches, the uniform still kept most of its original designs except the hats. The BSA uniform's main message is still to continue to serve as a reminder of scout values and beliefs.

  • Bibliography

    Wenkam, R. Boy Scouts placing leis and flowers on the crosses marking the graves of the veterans buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Some show men, women and children, possibly family members of the deceased, visiting the graves.. photographs, contact prints, gelatin silver prints. ca. 1945-1951. Photograph. Honolulu, HI. https://library.artstor.org/asset/SCHLES_130752471.

  • Bibliography

    Cole. 2019. “The Importance and History of the Scouting Uniform.” ScoutSmarts. December 20, 2019. https://scoutsmarts.com/scout-uniform-history-and-importance/. Hassler, William Davis, 1877-1921. ca. 1912. Frank Rogers Hassler (teenager) in Boy Scout uniform, ca. 1912., William D. Hassler photograph collection, approximately 1910-1921. Place: New-York Historical Society. https://library.artstor.org/asset/AWSS35953_35953_39973622.

  • Bibliography

    Amdursky, Ralph. 1943. Rochester, New York. Earl Babcock Watching While Howard, His Brother, in His Boy Scout Uniform, Practices Tying Knots.
    https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2017849319/. History.com Editors. "Boy Scouts movement begins." HISTORY. January 22, 2020. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/boy-scouts-movement-begins