The classic Adirondack chair, representing America’s love of outdoor living, was created in 1903 by Thomas Lee. The lack of outdoor furniture at their summer home prevented his family’s maximum enjoyment of the restful site at Westport, New York, situated on the edge of Lake Champlain in the Adirondack Mountains. Seeking a design for a comfortable, durable style of seating for his large family, he experimented with creating chairs made of boards, trying different designs for his twenty-two-member family.
After creating a prototype of the Adirondack chair, his family indicated their approval of this simple style chair with slanted seat and back. The chair had wide arms for conveniently placing an open book or glass of cool water. Comfortable and suited to indoor or outdoor use, the chair was exactly what they needed.
Thomas Lee took his design to a local carpenter, Harry Bunnell, who immediately understood that this new design would perfectly fit the requirements of the many summer residents in the area. He registered for a patent for the chair plan in 1904, receiving it in the summer of 1905. All this unknown to the original designer, Thomas Lee.
For twenty years, Bunnell crafted his chairs, calling them Westport Chairs. He modified the design, creating children’s chairs and two seated versions. Each chair was made of hemlock and painted a deep green or brown.
Today Adirondack chairs can be found in a wide range of colors and styles. Perfect for the deck, porch, patio or lawn, the chairs have retained their popularity through the years. White is the most frequently seen chair color, but colors to match any decor are available. Natural weather-resistant woods such as cedar or cypress can be left unpainted for a rustic look. Cushions in solids or floral prints welcome those in need of a moment of relaxation in the comfortable chairs. The wide arms serve as a surface for food or drinks eliminating the need for tables beside the chairs.
The chairs are used at resorts, cafes and outdoor restaurants to add an air of causal elegance. A porch is the ideal place for a pair of Adirondack rocking chairs. Adirondack furniture styles are available for indoor or outdoor casual seating. Lounge chairs, love seats, and even porch swings grace today’s homes. Imagine the attractive curving back, the comfort of the deep seat, the charm of a chair deeply rooted in America’s past.
