Hall of Fame Has 12 New Oral Histories

April 18, 2013  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on April 19, 2013

The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation has published 12 new oral histories of furniture industry leaders.

The new histories include Nathan S. Ancell, E. L. Briggs, Stella and Darrell Harris, Mary McKenzie Henkel, John R. Gerken Jr., Leo August Jiranek, William P. Kemp Sr., Bernard B. Lane, Hyman Meyers, Stephen Henry Millender, Patrick H. Norton and Stephen Knight Pond. The hard cover books include family and company photos.

The extensive, professionally conducted oral interviews provide insight into each subject's life, the times, the industry and their companies as a historical reference for research and future generations. 

Thirty-nine of the 48-book set have now been published. Those released previously include: John C. Bernhardt, Alvin E. Bland, Rose G. Blumkin, Douglas Brackett, Paul H. Broyhill, David J. Brunn, Bob Bush Sr., Dan Hutcheson Edmonson, Bert Roy Fenn, O. William Fen,; Charles O. Gordon, Rawson Haverty Sr., W.G. Holliman Jr., Clyde Hooker Jr.,  Don A. Hunziker, J. Wade Kincaid, Steven M. Kincaid, Joanna C. Maitland, Joseph E. Richardson II, Lawrence K. Schnadig, Irving B. Sherman, Edwin J. Shoemaker, Harley F. Shuford Jr., Charles R. Sligh Jr., John B. Vaughan, Howard O. Walker and Elliott S. Wood.

€œThere€™s an old saying that if you don€™t know the past, you€™ll be condemned to repeat it. We are taking the leading role in ensuring that this industry knows its past,€ said George Cartledge, Foundation Board president. €œWe€™re founded on entrepreneurial titans who invested their and capital to make this industry what it is today. Their words document how we got to where we are now and provide insight into the future.€

In 2008, the Hall of Fame Foundation received a grant from the Furniture Foundation to digitize the transcripts and tapes of 33 previously recorded oral interviews that were in danger of being lost. These interviews, along with eight additional new oral histories, are available for purchase through the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library or online. Individual copies cost $25 each or an advance order can be placed for a complete set for $1,200, plus the cost of shipping and handling.
 
Other oral histories in the publishing process include Donald A. Belgrad, Joe Carroll, Joseph Gerard, Kevin M. O€™Connor, Gordon Segal, Robert H. Spilman, Art Van Elslander, Ronald G. Wanek, and Gerald and John Wolf.

The Foundation continues to grow its oral history program and is accepting recommendations for other industry leaders whose stories need to be captured.  To send suggestions or receive more information, please e-mail.