A piece of leather history in Peterborough, Ontario

You may not know it, but Peterborough, Ontario, has its very own leather-related claim to fame!

 Benjamin Franklin Ackerman was born in 1850 on Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada, and was employed as a saddler by the year 1875. Ackerman started his family business in the late 1890s in Peterborough, Ontario. This historic, enterprising family business was housed in a large warehouse, and manufactured leather goods, harnesses, saddles, boots, and footwear trucks. At this time, horse and buggy was still the only means of travel, lending itself to the success of Mr Ackerman.

Just like Benjamin Ackerman, Ines Gloves began as a small, family-owned business that has developed into a beacon of the European fashion industry. Even Timmins, Ontario's own Shania Twain recently entered her Las Vegas show on horseback, wearing a pair of classic glace leather gloves.

The Ackerman building still stands within the downtown core of Peterborough, Ontario, although leather production has stopped. However, the tradition is carried forth by leather designers such as Ines herself, and even those right here in Canada.