The History of the Adirondack Chair
By Paul Dunn
Very little was known about the Adirondack Mountain Area in upstate New York prior to the Civil War. After the war the Adirondack woods were surveyed and soon became a popular recreational spot to enjoy the wilderness. People began to move into the area, building houses and hotels, and tourists were soon to follow.
The Adirondack style of architecture was born in the late 1800s. Buildings and furniture were built, patterned after the Swiss Chalets in Europe, using materials found locally; they were designed to provide comfort, harmonize with nature, and withstand the sometimes harsh elements. In rustic work, the natural curves and knots of native limbs and roots were incorporated into gables, porch railings, and outdoor furniture.
The legendary Adirondack chair (also known as a Westport Plank Chair or a Muskoka chair) did not appear until the turn of the century. Originally, it was made with eleven pieces of wood cut from a single board. It had a straight back set at an angle to better accommodate those sitting on steep mountain inclines of the area. Also included were wide armrests which have now become a hallmark of the chair.
The Adirondack chair design has become the epitome of northeast American rustic work and the Adirondack chair is now an essential part of American patio and garden furniture. Loveseats, rockers, and chaise loungers have also been designed using the Adirondack style.
Adirondack chairs are now even becoming popular as outdoor seating at cafes. The wide, flat armrests are very useful for setting food and beverages on eliminating the need for tables. Invented more than 100 years ago, its popularity exists even to this day.
An Adironack chair made from Western Red Cedar has all the qualities needed for surviving the sometimes harsh conditions outdoors, and besides that, it looks and smells great too.
