The Adirondack Chair
A History of Comfort

The Adirondacks is a mountainous area in northern New York state, south of Ontario and Quebec. It has long been a vacation resort because of its natural beauty which includes over 2,000 lakes. Today there is a state park, four-star resort hotels, about 100 camping grounds, and thousands of miles of hiking trails. It remains nature's paradise.

Over a hundred years ago, this area was the vacation destination of many New Industrial Age magnates, wishing to have a country home away from the frantic life of New York City.

Local carpenters began to build and sell porch furniture to fill the large wrap-around porches the wealthy cottagers always seemed have. One very unusual design was called the "Westport Chair." Westport was a small town nestled deep in the mountains. By 1910, Thomas Lee's Westport chair design became the most popular for one simple reason - it was the most comfortable. The Westport chair came to be known as the Adirondack chair, and its popularity soared. Because its design is so unique, a U.S. patent was issued in 1905.

Unfortunately for Thomas Lee, Harry Bunnell was the one that received the patent. It seems that Lee showed the chair design to Bunnell, who was his friend. Bunnell immediately recognized the profit potential of such a simple but comfortable chair. Without Lee's permission or knowledge, Bunnell applied for a patent which was granted the following year. That gave Bunnell 20 years to profit from the chair.

Originally, the Adirondack chair cost $4.00 and was available in only two colors: dark green and dark brown. Happily, you can now order the chair in every color under the sun. Oh yes, the price has gone up.

Those who have first-hand experience with the chair will quickly tell you it is an exceptional chair. One of the most comfortably designed outdoor chairs ever invented. A unique feature that many people like is the wide armrests. Adirondack chair armrests are especially wide, making them convenient for a book and a cup of coffee.

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, the Adirondack chair is for you! It is the very best. Handcrafted, it has an ole' time country look. It's curved back and seat are amazing in the way it wraps around your body. Best of all, when cared for properly, the Adirondack chair will last you for many, many years.

See Adirondack Chairs.

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