Italian Americans are known for barbering – an occupation that combines artistry, precision and personal service. The career didn’t have much of a presence in the United States until Italian immigrants arrived here. During the years of mass emigration from Italy – 1880 to 1930 – nearly four million Italians, mostly from southern Italy and Sicily, settled in the United States.
Hundreds came to the city of Washington. They worked in a variety of industries, founded businesses and created a barbering culture where there once was none. “There was a barbershop on every corner back then,” said 87-year-old barber Don Zenner. “Without exception, they were all Italians.”
