Fun Fact Fridays #5 - Better than a Scarf! ⛄

Hand-Drawn Portrait of
 Andrew Backus

      Did you know that in the 19th century it was very popular and fashionable to have neck beards? Talk about the complete opposite of fashion today! Backus-Page House's very own, Andrew Backus, had a long, scruffy neck beard that fit right in with the popular styles.

      To have a certified neck beard the face must be completely shaven with only facial hair starting right at the jaw line. Sometimes men would have a mustache to go along with it, but it was only a neck beard if the mustache did not connect with the beard.

      It is known that popularity of neck beards started growing when a young philosopher by the name of Henry David Thoreau showed off his remarkable facial hair. People in the 19th century either extremely loved or extremely hated Thoreau for his views on slavery. Canada, during this time period, was viewed as a safe haven for the slaves coming from the United States. The Slavery Abolition Act came into play in 1834 and it was not until over 30 years later that the U.S. followed Canada's lead.

      Come check out Andrew Backus' neck beard and house at:
29424 Lakeview Line, Wallacetown, ON
(519) 762-3072

Henry David Thoreau
(in all his neck beard glory)