Documenting the American South

Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
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  • Monument Name

    World's Largest Chair, Thomasville

  • Type

    Oversized Furniture

  • Subjects

    Industry

  • Creator

    Salem Steel Company, Builder

    Thomas W. Johnson, Designer

  • City

    Thomasville

  • County

    Davidson

  • Description

    This monument is a tribute to Thomasville's furniture industry. It is the second chair that has stood in this location, as the original, a wooden structure, rotted. This cement chair stands 30-feet high.

  • Inscription

    Front: "The Chair" / of Thomasville / THE CHAIR IS AN EXEMPLAR AND INSPIRATION FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO EMULATE AND PERPETUATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR TIME-HONORED FURNITURE DESIGNERS AND CRAFTSMEN...THE ORIGINAL CHAIR WAS THE CREATION OF THE FAMOUS AMERICAN DESIGNER DUNCAN PHYFE

    Left: ERECTED 1950

    Right: THOMAS JOHNSON - DEI. / JAMES HARVEY - SCULP.

  • Dedication Date

    On January 9, 1951 the cornerstone was laid.

  • Decade

    1950s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    35.882920 , -80.081990 View in Geobrowsemap pin

  • Supporting Sources

      "The Big Chair," Thomasville Tourism Commission, (accessed January 31, 2012) Link

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Cement, wire mesh, and steel skeleton.

  • Nickname

    "The Big Chair" or "The Chair"

  • Subject Notes

    The chair commemorates the furniture industry which is a large employer in Davidson county.

  • Controversies

    It is not considered largest chair any longer.

  • Landscape

    This monument is located alongside railroad tracks in downtown Thomasville, NC.

  • Post Dedication Use

    During the 1960 presidential campaign, Lyndon B. Johnson stood on it during a campaign stop.

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