The Barbershop

Opened in 1959 by barber Archie Edwards, his Washington DC shop served as the Foundation’s home and as a museum and educational center from after his death in 1998 until 2008 when the building was sold for redevelopment.

For the next 10 years, Archie’s Barbershop was housed in a historic building next to the railroad tracks in Riverdale Park, Maryland, where music would often be accompanied by the sound of an occasional train whistle.

In 2019, Archie's Barbershop moved to a vintage storefront in the arts district in nearby Hyattsville, Maryland - and still close enough to hear the trains..

photo courtesy Paul Kennedy

Original Bunker Hill Road Location

The original barbershop, named the 'Alpha Tonsorial Palace' was on Bunker Hill Road in Northeast Washington, DC.

The Blues Jams

In a tradition he began in the late 1950s, “Archie’s Barbershop” became the place to be on Saturday afternoons when musicians gathered for an informal acoustic blues jam. Archie would close his barbershop about mid-afternoon, pick up his Gretsch steel pan guitar and preside over a blues jam with his friends.

It was a haven for all who loved the blues – a place for friends to socialize and to play, listen to, and learn the music. All “Brother Arch” asked as he sat in his lone barber chair was that you respect the music and the people who came to the shop.

Blues jams regulars included such noted blues artists as Mississippi John Hurt, Skip James, John Jackson, John Cephas, Flora Molton, Phil Wiggins, Warner Williams, and Jay Summerour.

To get a flavor of what happens at the jams and the range of people and acoustic instruments they play, check out some live recordings from the Barbershop.

But the best way to experience Archie’s Barbershop is to come to a Saturday jam – to play, to listen, and to soak in the fellowship that comes with sharing a love of music.

Archie’s passing in 1998 threatened to close the door of his ministry of the blues. To keep that from happening, friends and fellow musicians formed the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation.

"Barbershop Blues"

Original lithograph by Neil Harpe

Riverdale Location

Riverdale “Barbershop”

After Archie’s original building was sold in 2008, the Foundation moved to a historic building next to the railroad tracks in Riverdale, Maryland. The new home of the weekly jams soon earned the building its affectionate nickname, the “Barbershop.”

A corner of the building housed artifacts and memorabilia from Archie Edwards - including his barber and shoeshine chairs.

The larger quarters allowed the Foundation to expand its program beyond the weekly Saturday jams to include holding concerts, workshops, and special events. Adding to the enjoyment of many a concert was the sound of a train whistle, coming at just the right moment in a blues song.

For the next 10 years, the weekly jams and the Foundation continued to thrive and grow in the Riverdale building until early 2019 when, due to Riverdale building being slated for redevelopment, the Foundation lost its lease.

Current Hyattsville Location

Hyattsville “Barbershop”

With help from a large community of friends and supporters, the Foundation was able to find a suitable new home in the nearby arts district of Hyattsville, Maryland.

The vintage storefront has been fitted with all of the art, photographs, and memorabilia from the previous home, including Archie’s barber and shoeshine chairs.

Please swing by for a visit - or to jam!

Finding Archie's Barbershop

The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation is located at:

4502 Hamilton Street

Hyattsville, MD 20781

There is limited parking behind the building and some street parking in the neighborhood. There are three public parking lots located within a block of the Barbershop.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

With few exceptions the Saturday jams take place from 1 to 5pm. Jams may be canceled due to bad weather or emergency. Should a major holiday fall on a Saturday there will likely be no jam. On very rare occasions, the jam may be held at a community event instead of the Barbershop.

Before setting out, please check the AEBHF Facebook page to check for any announcements that might affect the jam.