Remember When a Shave and Haircut Were Two Bits.

• Position: MUSEUMS TODAY - NYC Barber Shop Museum - Brief article

Barbering is a tradition that dates back thousands of years, and Arthur Rubinoff--a fourth-generation master barber and celebrity groomer--has paid homage to its rich history by opening the NYC Barber Shop Museum.

The museum, which Rubinoff created in his late father's memory to honor barbers and the art of grooming, opened its doors in June. It offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the history of barbering and celebrate the art of the craft through a series of engaging exhibits--all while having their hair cut using long-lost techniques in a retro setting.

The NYC Barber Shop Museum is home to an array of vintage artifacts, including a 101-year-old gas-powered steam sterilizer, as well as one of the first handheld hairdryers (from 1930) ever made. Much of the museum's exhibition material was collected and curated by Rubinoff's father. For the last 15...