What a unique shape for a chair, and so very relaxing. It is at home on a porch, patio, and even in the lawn.
It seems that one of our country’s favorite outdoor chairs is the Adirondack chair. It is an American summer and fall icon that signals a relaxing ‘landing place’. The original, known as the Westport chair, was conceived and built by a man named Thomas Lee, in 1903, at his summer home in Westport N.Y., near the Adirondack Mountains.
Adirondack Chair
The original version, like many versions today, had a slanted back and an angled seat. This design allowed for a more upright position when taking in the views of the mountains and nearby Lake Champlain, while perched high along the mountain slope.
The Westport chair concept was presented to Harry Bunnell , a friend of Mr. Lee. Mr. Lee thought his friend, who was an out of work carpenter, could benefit from making these chairs for the local and summer residents.
Mr. Bunnell filed for a patent for the chair and continued to produce them for about 20 years, carrying his trademark stamped on the back. The design was altered a bit from the original version, such as using individual boards (slats) for the back and seat, in place of single, very wide boards.
The newer version of the chair came to be known as the Adirondack chair. For over 100 years, it has been part of the summer landscape for many people. And as we applaud innovation, today it is available in a multitude of great summertime colors, and in a number of different styles including one that even folds flat for easy storage.
It seems that whenever you see an Adirondack chair in someone’s yard, there is another one right next to it for a friend!
