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Historic Smokey Hollow Barber Shop opens in Tallahassee

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A little piece of history returns to its home with Monday's grand opening of the Smokey Hollow Barber Shop. 

Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency restored the historic building to help preserve the legacy of the Smokey Hollow community which once thrived where we now enjoy Cascades Park.

About 100 people are expected at a special ceremony Monday evening.

"The Smokey Hollow Commemoration in Cascades Park is the result of many years of partnership and sustained leadership from people in the community -- people who used to live in the community as well as people from the Riley House Museum and Center," said Autumn Calder, the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency planning manager.

The barber shop is a small wood-frame building about 13 by 16 feet, at the corner of Franklin Boulevard and Pensacola Street.

It's decked with historical artifacts that include an original barber's chair, antique barbering tools, and posters sharing the shop's cultural significance.

"So when you went to the barbershop you were finding out what was going on in the community in the city based on what the people were sing there and perhaps laid the foundation for some thoughts as it relates to politics policies and things that could be done to help improve at that time the black community," said Cicero Hartsfield, an original Smokey Hollow resident.

The only live haircut taking place in the historic site took place at Monday's grand opening.

Visitors who want to tour the barbershop can contact Parks and Recreation.