SHOEMAKER

The 18th-Century Virginian had a wide variety of shoes, boots, slippers and pumps to choose from. Every merchant, milliner and shoemaker’s shop operating in Williamsburg met the demand with stocks of “sale shoes,” or ready-mades, which were manufactured locally or imported from London. Refurbished second-hand shoes were also to be found, as the tariffs were lower for exporting used shoes out of England than brand new ones. Some Virginians, such as George Washington, preferred mail order and sent off to such popular London firms as Didsbury, Gresham, or Carpues, to have their footwear made to measure.

Women wore dainty silk or utilitarian wool shoes with cowhide soles and covered wooden heels, often concealing them inside protective over-shoes called “clogs.” Men strolled the dusty streets well shod in calfskin shoes with soles and low leather heels made of steer hide. Everyone wore buckles, as strings and ribbon ties were considered passé by the latter part of the 17th century.

The Shoemaker’s Shop in Colonial Williamsburg re-creates the firm of George Wilson, who carried on the making of boots and shoes for gentlemen. Then, as today, the trade was divided up into branches, with some firms specializing in the making of men’s or women’s shoes for either wholesale or retail business.

For inquiries or purchases please contact Prentis Store at 757-229-1000, Extension 2117 or prentis@cwf.org.