Peter N. Edmonds

Peter N. Edmonds, prior owner/proprietor of the Mad as a Hatter store in Provincetown, died May 6, 2023 at Cape Cod Hospital with family at his side. Born June 17, 1946 in New Haven, Connecticut to Norman Kling Edmonds and Gladys Cruz Edmonds, he grew up in Hamden, CT. Peter graduated from Quinnipiac College with a degree in medical technology and worked at St. Francis Hospital in Harford, Ct for more than 15 years. His love for Provincetown and its community quickly blossomed after a short weekend visit in the 1980s. He called Provincetown his forever home. Along with his partner Steven Dennis, Peter spent 28 years designing and making hats for weddings, racetrack parties, and other special events. His shop Mad as a Hatter was a tourist’s favorite where his fashionable hats were on display. David Dunlop in his book Building Provincetown writes: Peter was “the proprietor of the dependably imaginative Mad as a Hatter hat store at 360 Commercial Street.” Following the sale of his shop and upon his retirement, Peter shifted from his hat-making artistry to oil paintings with scenes expressing tranquility. His work gives the viewer a sense of quiet calm as he captured the many sides of Cape Cod life.

Peter leaves behind a son Kyle Edmonds (Amy) of Nevada, Iowa and granddaughters Kayleigh and Claudia; a daughter Beth Edmonds Tepher (Travis) of Bradenton, Florida and grandchildren Evan and Samantha. He also leaves a brother Barry Edmonds (Winnie) of Moodus, CT and a niece, Roberta Edmonds of Portland, CT. He was predeceased by his parents and his partner, Steven Dennis.

A memorial service will be held later. Memorial contributions may be made to Lower Cape Ambulance Association, Inc., PO Box 1721, Provincetown, MA 02657.