I had to look up what a "shaver permit" was. Here is what I found:
The Bellbrook, Ohio Sesquicentennial took place from June 16–19, 1966, celebrating 150 years since the town's founding in 1816. [
1,
2]
The Shaver Permit Context
- The Rules: During this 1966 celebration, local men were expected to grow beards to honor the town's early settlers. [1, 2]
- The Mock Jail: A playful community "Steering Committee" set up a mock jail in downtown Bellbrook. Men caught clean-shaven without a permit faced humorous "jail time". [1]
- The Button: To avoid this fate, men purchased a "Shaver Permit" pinback button as a fundraiser for the celebration. Wearing it granted legal immunity from the town's beard-growing mandate. [1]
Celebration Highlights
- Brothers of the Brush: Bill Penewit served as the General Chairman, leading the bearded community members through the four-day event.
- Historical Records: The very first comprehensive written history of the Bellbrook area was published specifically for this 1966 event by local historians Harold and Genevieve Berryhill