Dallas Bump (1918-2016) of Bear, Arkansas, was a fourth-generation chairmaker who learned the trade at a young age from his father, Fred Bump, son of Philander Bump. Philander Bump emigrated from France and opened the Bear Chair Shop shop in 1870 – the same shop out of which Bump worked more than a century later, using many of the tools and patterns that his father and grandfather had used.
Bump passed on the family tradition to his nephew, Leon Sutton, who worked with him to harvest and dry local hardwoods (mostly red and white oak) that became the hand-made chairs – constructed with no glue, nails, pegs or other fasteners – for which the family was known. From what I can tell, just about everyone in the family was involved at one time or another; the men made the structure, and the women wove the seats and backs from white oak.
Bump’s work was featured by the Smithsonian in several “folk life” exhibits, Southern Living magazine and many television programs, and one of his rocking chairs was in the White House during the Clinton administration.
Unfortunately, the Bear Chair Shop appears to now be closed. Nonetheless, the 2014 video below is a fascinating glimpse of Bump, his shop and the family chairmaking affair.
— Fitz
p.s. I’m am stealing Bump’s ingenious post-marking process for my staircase spindles. I’m sure others have used a similar approach, but as a non-turner, it’s the first time I’ve seen that.
That’s a great video. Since I was raised in Arkansas that was a little extra special for me.
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When I was really young in 70′ I saw an old carver at the folk life festival and he let me hold or hit the chisel on the piece he was working on. Williamsburg, VA, just 1 1/2 hrs south, all the pine furniture in the kitchens and workshops. Seeing things being made by had made me want to learn about it all my life, especially from the grandfather’s of our time who know what we don’t.
Loved it, thanks for sharing.
Wonderful story of an honorable trade practiced by a great family. Thank you so much for posting.
Loved the video. Thanks so much for sharing. It’s so great to see people at that age still keeping their mind and hands busy like that. By the way, did you mean when he marked the rung positions on the post, with that stick with nails through it?
Yep — seems like a good way to do many of the same thing.
I really identified with this post/video. At 86 years it matches my hope and best wishes.
That has to be one of the best woodworking videos I have ever watched. I am truly impressed by these guys’ abilities and their shop. I googled Dallas– looks like he passed a couple years ago. He went with lots and lots of knowledge. Thanks for sharing thi
Nice one Fitz thanks for the share.
The marking template is indeed a clever idea. No pencil needed, exact duplicate marking.
Did you catch the low bench that Leon was assembling on?
I did! Looked familiar.