Barber Shops

Hidden Gems

This month’s hidden gem is “Dick’s Barbershop”, on the corner of ourVictorian Avenue.

Now a barbershop sounds rather tame - just a place for afellow to get his hair cut. But over the years, the barbershops have been somuch more to their communities! Let’s start with the pole that standsoutside barber shops of the past.

The barber pole, with its blue, red andwhite spiraling stripes, symbolized different aspects of a barber’s duties. Itis a symbol from the time when barbers used to perform medical

procedures. The white and red stripes represent bandages and blood whilethe blue stripes represent veins. By the 1800's most barbers were donewith surgeries, but a few might have had to pull some teeth!

Our barbershop features a barber’s chair and a child’s chair, which is ratherunique. Most of the time the barber would put a board over an adult chairto lift the child to the right height. We also feature a collection of shavingmugs along with other items every barber needed - razor, razor strop, etc. Who doesn’t remember “Shave and a haircut, two bits”? Hair tonics of allsorts line up, just looking ready to use.

We also have a few mustache cups. You’ll have to read “Back in the Day”to learn more about those!