| One of the hallmarks of the Victorian Era was | | | | that he could produce these chairs for sale, |
| its elaborately ornate, highly embellished | | | | and asked for the plans, which Mr. Lee gladly |
| furniture, which was sometimes intended more | | | | lent to him. This arrangement worked out |
| for decoration than function. It was quite a | | | | perfectly - for Harry Bunnell, who, in 1905, |
| contrast when, with the dawning of the | | | | patented the design as his own, calling it |
| twentieth century, the Craftsman period | | | | the Westport Chair. That chair, which is now |
| arose, based on the principle that furniture | | | | known as the Adirondack chair, has been the |
| should be as useful as it is attractive, and | | | | sweetheart of outdoor furniture pieces all |
| built to withstand everyday wear and tear. | | | | over the country for more than one hundred |
| One of the most outstanding representatives | | | | years. There have, however, been many |
| of that time, and that tenet, is the | | | | variations on Thomas Lee's drawings, as some |
| Adirondack Chair. Unfortunately for its | | | | of the chairs have straight backs, while |
| inventor, Thomas Lee, the chair also turned | | | | others are curved, some have thin armrests, |
| out to be a painful example of what can | | | | and some have been designed as rocking |
| happen when greed supersedes friendship. Mr. | | | | chairs, gliders, and benches. They are also |
| Lee and his family frequently vacationed at a | | | | built from many other materials besides the |
| summer home that they owned, in Westport, New | | | | hemlock and basswood that were used to |
| York, beside Lake Champlain. In 1903, when he | | | | construct the first models, which were |
| and his wife wanted outdoor furniture for the | | | | available only in brown or green. has a huge |
| garden, Thomas Lee decided that he would | | | | assortment of gorgeous Adirondack Chairs, |
| build it. He did not undertake this project | | | | made from decay-resistant Western Red Cedar, |
| half-heartedly. Indeed, he was determined to | | | | Northern White Cedar, pressure treated pine, |
| craft fine, comfortable, and durable | | | | cherry, teak, and oak. It also features |
| furniture, in which he and his family could | | | | spectacular polywood Adirondack chairs, |
| take great pride and pleasure. He fashioned | | | | available in several attractive colors, that |
| several chairs from boards that he put | | | | are virtually indestructible. At |
| together in various designs, and asked his | | | | CedarStore.com, you'll also find an |
| family to test each one for comfort. The | | | | incredible selection of outdoor dining, bar, |
| final product was constructed from eleven | | | | and bistro tables and sets, picnic tables, |
| boards that he had cut from a single piece of | | | | accent tables, garden benches, porch swings, |
| wood. To achieve ultimate comfort on the | | | | gliders, lounges, rocking chairs, and |
| uneven terrain of the Adirondack Mountains, | | | | ottomans, in designs from rustic, to refined. |
| he gave the chair wide armrests, a deep, | | | | For more information, call 888-293-2339, or |
| angled seat, and a back that inclined 30 | | | | e-mail has everything you need to furnish |
| degrees. This chair was a huge hit, not only | | | | your porch, patio, gazebo, deck, or backyard, |
| with the Lee family, but with a friend, Harry | | | | including many variations of the beloved |
| Bunnell, who hunted with Thomas, and ran a | | | | Adirondack Chair. They may not have invented |
| small carpentry shop. Needing a way to make | | | | it, but, as you will see, they have perfected |
| some money during the winter, Harry suggested | | | | it. |