LYNN — Residents will be able to explore the city’s history this weekend through a series of events celebrating Lynn Shoemaker’s Day.
Shoemaker’s Day highlights the city’s industrial legacy; by the 19th century, Lynn had developed a reputation as a booming shoe city, based on its shoemaking quality and industrial growth around the trade.
The industry got its start in 1635, when the first shoemakers settled in Lynn. Things only grew from there with shoemaking becoming a common family practice in the 1700s; in the following century, Lynn had become known as the “shoe capital of the world,” according to information from the city website and Lynn Museum.
While this period of time is gone, Shoemaker’s Day seeks to highlight the downtown buildings and history that surrounds residents through a series of community events. This year’s festivities kick off on Saturday and continue through Monday.
On Saturday, residents can view the work of local artists at the Galleries at LynnArts (GALA), 25 Exchange St., from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and take part in the Lynn Shoe Walking Tours at 6 p.m. Tickets are available through Eventbrite and Facebook.
On Sunday, residents can find treasures among eight different vendors at the Lynn Vintage Warehouse, also known as the Prime Building, at 545 Washington St. from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Another option is the Lynn at Night walking tour, which will start at the Lynn Museum entrance at 6 p.m.
The celebration ends on Monday with St. Crispin’s Day, which Shoemaker’s Day organizer Michelle Guzman says also ties into the city’s shoemaking history.
“For some, this (day) doesn’t mean anything, but for Lynn’s history lovers, this day is a sweet memory because St. Crispin is the patron (saint) for the shoemakers, and even though nothing will be done, this is a useful fact to use in a trivia night,” she said.
