Also Known As Canton Shoe Shop, ca. 1950

Cobbler Shop Background Information

Herbie Haven (1930-1996) was one of Canton’s personalities and a businessman who made a difference in the life of our history. His business was located under the steps of the present Black Bird Café at 107.5 Main St. Canton, NY. Inside of our cobbler shop, there are many components of the former Barbour-Haven shoe and leather shops which were located in Canton including original signs, treadle leather-sewing machines, cobbler’s vise, leather cutters and shapers, shoe anvils, punches and other tools. The museum acquired those items from the Morley Grist Mill Association and built a home for them. Every effort will be made to preserve the records of those who originally donated the items and especially the history they represent.

The grist mill at Morley was saved through the efforts of Charles LaShombe and other members and friends of the Association. With the passing of the Association, and as the mill turns to private hands, the Museum will do its best to protect the items and the intent of those who provided them. The Museum is in the process of documenting and cataloging several items that used to be part of the former Heritage Grist Mill Association collection. When complete, title assignments will be prepared for their inclusion in the Museum’s collection.

Shoe Repair Items:

As reported by Bob Marshall on 9/09

Barbour’s Mens & Ladies Apparel at 13 Hodskin St. in Canton was a very popular store during the mid-1900’s. Fred Barbour told me years ago that the store was originally a harness and leather goods store operated by his family. He always had great displays in windows and in the store, with a harness vice, wagon wheels, work tables, etc. which he said came from the shop. I don’t know if Art was his father or grandfather.

As reported by Roger Austin on 9/09

Art Barbour’s shoe shop appears to be the origin as his two signs and two leather stitching machines (heavy) are at the Grist Mill in Morley. Included are also harness, a new horse collar, leather, and a cobbler’s bench with harness maker’s vise. There are also many boxes of tacks and supplies used in the trade. Plans are for the items to form the core of a small shoe shop, complete with a sign out front during exhibitions.

Reggie Chester headed up the building’s construction and then Shirley Dickinson designed and led the set up of the displays. Other volunteers include: Roger Austin, John Bartholomew, Brad Chester, Reggie Chester, Wayne Day, Shirley Dickinson, Alan Garrand, Gary Hargrave, Larry Howe, Bob Marshall, Paul Moore, Robert Moore, Robert Moulton, Michael Peterson, and Ken Tuper.

Contributions by Roger Austin, Reg & Mary Jean Chester, Chuck Goolden, DT Construction, Merriman’s, Inc., Allen Mitchell.

BARBOUR and HAVEN – A BRIEF HISTORY of “IMPECCABLE CRAFTSMEN”

Thanks to the Town Historian of Canton, NY == October 15, 2015

Herbie Haven (1930-1996) was one of Canton’s personality and businessman who made a difference in the life of our history. His room was located under the steps of the present Black Bird Café at 107.5 Main St. Canton. His room was filled with antique iron tools on a small bench, several sewing machines and a small sales counter completely surrounded wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling–by racks of shoes, boots, skates, belts, leather bags and slippers of every make and style There were a couple of chairs by the space heater that was always occupied by local characters. Conversation flowed regularly. And Herbie was at the center of it all.

At the Madrid Power & Equipment Museum, there is a building dedication to Haven & Barbour, both Canton Cobblers, who were impeccable craftsmen and respected by all. How many shoes, boots, belts did you have repaired by Herbie? He died way too young but left a lot of memories for us all.