Brumby Rocker Explained

The Brumby Rocker is a type of rocking chair built by the Brumby Chair Factory of the Brumby Chair Company in Marietta, Georgia, which operated between 1875 and 1942, or by its successor which started in 1972. Former US president, Jimmy Carter was an admirer of the chairs and brought five Brumby rockers to the White House.[1]

The chair is deliberately large, with large arms, seat and "runners" and a very high back.[2] [3] [4] It has good balance, is sturdy, weighs approximately 32 pounds and stands 4 feet tall.[5] It's made with a variety of materials including cane and red oak.

History

James Remley Brumby was the first owner of the Brumby Chair Factory and production began in 1875. Production was stopped due to World War II in 1942, due to supply chain issues with bamboo cane.[6] The factory was then used for other furniture.

The successor company started manufacturing in 1972.[1]

Buildings

The Brumby Chair Factory building (c. 1879), on Church Street in Marietta, is a contributing building in the Northwest Marietta Historic District.[7] The Brumby-Sibley-Corley House, at 285 Kennesaw Avenue in the district, is a mid-Victorian house built by James Remley Brumby (photo #1).[7]

Notes and References

  1. News: Marietta Journal; Winds of Change Rock A Classic Rocking Chair . Peter Applebome . . March 7, 1989 . September 14, 2016.
  2. News: Built to Last a Lifetime : Brumby Chairs: The Rock of Ages . November 3, 1985. . . September 14, 2016.
  3. News: Brumby Rockers Keep Rolling With That Old-fashioned Quality . November 24, 1985. . .
  4. News: Rosson: Chair company still doing business in Marietta, Ga..
  5. Web site: Good-bye Brumby rockers: The end of an era - UPI Archives . 2023-06-02 . UPI . en.
  6. Web site: May . Lee . 1990-12-03 . Changing times threaten to retire famous rocking chairs : Unreliable supplies and aging machinery could shut the doors of the Brumby factory and close the book on a piece of American history. . 2023-06-02 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
  7. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=75000586}} National Register of Historic Places Registration: Northwest Marietta Historic District]. National Park Service. September 11, 2016 . David T. Agnew and Elizabeth Z. Macgregor . April 7, 1975 . with