Barnard Block

Barnard Block. An excellent example of 19th-century commercial architecture, the J.W. Barnard Block replaced E.P. Pinkham's wood-framed boot and shoe shop. The original building was relocated to the rear of the lot, and Pinkham moved his shop into the north side of the new brick structure. For nearly 100 years, people bought shoes here - first from Pinkham, and then after world war one from Adelard Rousseau. Following world war two, Adelard's son, Robert, continued selling shoes until 1981. , The south side of the building was known for its barbers. Billy Martin was first, followed in 1923 by Bennie Kendrigan, who learned barbering to pay his tuition to Tufts Medical School, as well as to the New England Conservatory, where he studied violin. When it came to earning a living, he abandoned the stethoscope for the razor. But he still pursued his music, often dashing across the street to perform in concerts on the town bandstand. , Bennie and fellow musician Mary Gordon formed the Kendrigan-Gordon Orchestra and also played during silent movies at the Star Theater, located in the former Methodist church that stood between Church and Chapel Streets. And for nearly 40 years, Bennie kept sharpening his barbering skills, finally retiring in 1961.