The Art of the Cobbler: Second Sunday at Macktown Living History

Cobbler Presentation Times: 2pm to 2:50pm & 3pm to 4pm

Free admission.

Presenter Norman Walzer

An approximately 50-minute presentation in two segments. The first 30 minutes will include documented pictures of footwear worn between the late 1700s and the Civil War, discussing how styles and methods changed. The second segment will involve a demonstration of how shoes were made. Types of tools and techniques used. Period tools and equipment will be demonstrated  

Norman Walzer, Ph.D., has been an avid reenactor in historic shoemaking and leather goods for more than 40 years. He taught and was an administrator in Colleges of Business at several Illinois universities for 50 years. As part of his interest in historic leatherwork, he volunteered in the Lukins-Ferguson cobbler shop at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, Trail of History, Bishop Hill, and many other events. He studied historic shoemaking at Colonial Williamsburg and Sturbridge Village, and has examined collections at several museums in the U.S. and Canada. During this time, he collected numerous pre-Civil War leather tools and two dozen nineteenth century pocketbooks. He enjoys preserving them so they will continue to teach about the past.

Upcoming 2nd Sunday events:

• Aug. 14: Cabinet Making/ Joinery
• Sept. 11: Archaeology
• Oct. 9: Making Cider