250 Years of Woodworking in Vermont and Furniture Making
We received so much interest last year from customers regarding the history of Vermont-made furniture, that we created an encyclopedia. Did you know that Vermont’s furniture-making history can be traced back as far as the 17th century? In Vermont, almost all towns had woodworkers who made furniture, tools, and utensils by the 18th century.
During the 19th century, Vermont’s single largest manufacturing sector was wood products. The export of Vermont’s wood products and furniture was initiated. A thriving Vermont woodworking sector produced wood furniture, wooden cutting boards, wooden bowls, wooden bowling pins and bowls as well as wooden bowling pins and baskets.
Forest To Furniture
The Green Mountain Forest, which covered 90% of Vermont between 1760 and 1760, was perhaps the most important contributor to the growing fine furniture industry. Vermont had extensive forests of many tree species, some as old as 300 years. They spanned 6 feet in diameter and 13 stories high. Many Vermont towns were named after wood, which was what gave them their identity. They are now known for their lumber mills and the continuous succession of wood product manufacturers.
Many Vermont Communities are built on woodworking
The Vermont furniture industry and the wood industries were a source of income in some towns. The technology and products evolved with the times to meet market demand and increase efficiency. The owners of factories and mills became leaders in their communities and took on responsibility for their town’s commercial and civic growth.
Vermont Furniture Makers and Woodworkers of Note
There were many master craftsmen from Vermont in the 18th and 19th centuries. They included artisans from Wilmington, Middlebury and Shaftsbury, Rutland and Charlotte. George Stedman, Vermont, c. 1800-20; Asahel (b. 1759), and Martin (1778-c.1830) Cheney and Asahel (b. Their work graced the offices and homes of the rich and famous around the globe.
H.T. H.T. Vermont Tubbs, Manchester Wood are two other companies that helped to build the furniture-making industry in Vermont.
Vermont Tubbs (1840-2013).
Vermont Tubbs was established in 1840. It spent nearly 170 years making wood furniture in Brandon, VT. The company generated an estimated $16million per year and employed 250+ workers in the early 2000s. However, it was struggling to make a profit.
Vermont Tubbs furniture was primarily a wholesale company that sold furniture to retailers across the country including LL Bean and Jordan’s Furniture as well as Bloomingdales and Restoration Hardware.
The brand is known for its high-quality craftsmanship, solid wood construction, traditional designs, and exceptional quality.
Find out more about Vermont Tubbs.
HT Cushman Manufacturing Company (1886-1980).
H.T. The H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Company was established in 1886. It spent nearly 100 years making furniture in Bennington. Although the company started out building pencil boxes, coat racks, and hat hangers for its customers, they soon became known for their furniture.
Hall W. Cushman, who was the third generation to run the business, sold the business to General Industries in 1964. The facility was later sold to Green Mountain Furniture Co in 1971. It closed its doors in 1980.
Find out more about HT Cushman.
Manchester Wood (1976-2018).
Manchester Wood was established in 1976. It has been making solid wood furniture in Vermont for 42 years. The company employed nearly 200 people and generated $8-12 million in annual revenue at its peak.
Clifford “Cliff” Pierce was the founder of Manchester Wood. He sold in bulk to national retailers and made it a multi-million-dollar business. He had more than 300 wholesale clients, including LL Bean and Crate & Barrel as well as Sears, Pottery Barn and Macy’s.
It was well-known for its high-quality solid wood furniture. Mission style bookcases, sofa tables, adirondack chair, folding desks, and tray tables were the most popular products. It was a multi-generational family business.
Find out more about Manchester Wood.
Copeland Furniture
Copeland Furniture is a well-known brand in Vermont that makes high-end furniture. Tim Copeland, his family, and their reputation for making world-class furniture with a wide range of clean, crisp designs has been built since 1976.
Copeland is a mid-century wood furniture manufacturer based in Bradford, Vermont. Copeland describes their furniture as “transitional” in their own words. It is neither traditional nor contemporary, but rather a mix of elements that combine classic proportions with modern simplicity.
Find out more about Copeland Furniture.
Lyndon Furniture
Lyndon Furniture’s story is as true to Vermont’s history and values as any other. Dave Allard finished high school in 1976 and began work on the family farm. In a house he had built for his parents, he made his first furniture pieces. He then set his sights on building another workshop after furnishing the house. His first woodworking shop was built in Lyndon, VT using timber he had cut down from the family farm.
Lyndon employs more than 100 artisans in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. They use real solid wood to make their furniture, which is built to last a lifetime.
Find out more about Lyndon Furniture.
Maple Corner Woodworks
Robin Chase is the founder of Maple Corner Woodworks and a master craftsman. He is an exemplary visionary in furniture design. It is easy to see why this small Vermont workshop produces the best furniture anywhere.
Robin is a true artist, aiming to achieve and maintaining the highest quality standards in design, consistency, quality and quality. Robin is regarded as a great woodworker and many of his creations can be found throughout our entire home.
Find out more about Maple Corner Woodworks.
Vermont Furniture Designs
Vermont Furniture Designs was founded by Arthur Weitzenfeld, a master craftsman, in 1970. It is now owned by Rob Bachand and Adam Blaisdell, his students.
Find out more about Vermont Furniture Designs.
Vermont Antique Furniture: Where to View and Buy
Relics from the early days of Vermont’s furniture industry are displayed by antique dealers in the Green Mountain State. The Shelburne Museum and Bennington Museum have recently displayed Vermont-made furniture pieces and collections from the 18th and 19th century. For more information on Vermont’s history of woodworking, visit the Vermont Wood Manufacturer’s Association site.
Encyclopedia of this American Made Treasure”>Vermont Furniture Encyclopedia? You can leave comments below, or visit our Facebook Page. Your input will be added to the encyclopedia.
