I grew up around handmade ladderback chairs that were made in the Arkansas Ozarks, but I didn’t think much about them until working as Owen Rein’s editor. Owen lives in Stone County, Arkansas, about three hours from where I grew up.
He was the first person to open my eyes to the simple beauty and mechanical sophistication of the post-and-rung chair.
Compared to Windsor chairs, there’s not much written about post-and-rung chairs. That should come as no surprise because Windsor chairs experienced an amazing renaissance starting in the late 20th century that is still going on today. Ladderback chairmaking, on the other hand, seems to be vanishing. It was a once-thriving craft in many mountain communities. But makers are dying out, and there aren’t as many young people taking up the tools.
And that’s why I’m thrilled to announce I am now editing Andrew Glenn’s book that shines a spotlight on the ladderback chairmakers who are left, and will instruct future generations on how to make these chairs.
“Backwoods Chairmakers” is a fascinating combination of a travelog, personality profiles and a practical shop manual. During the last few years, Andy has traveled all over Appalachia interviewing and documenting the techniques of post-and-rung chairmakers. They aren’t easy to find. Some of them live without electricity or phones.
Andy interviewed dozens of people for the book about the daily life of a chairmaker, which is a difficult way to make a living. Andy spent time in the woods with them. Observed them working. And tried to get a sense of why they chose chairmaking and the post-and-rung form.
The book concludes with two chapters where Andy shows you how to make a post-and-rung side chair and rocking chair using the traditional techniques explored in the book. These chapters, we hope, will inspire new makers to try making these ingenious chairs.
I’m in the middle of working on Andy’s book, and we hope to have it out by the end of 2023. It’s a fascinating read – even if you don’t care a whit about chairmaking. The people who populate “Backwoods Chairmakers” are astonishingly resilient, inventive (a tenon cutter made from a washing machine?) and thoughtful about their craft.
And unlike other authors who write about mountain folk, Andy approaches the topic with an unusual sensitivity. As someone who grew up in Arkansas and now lives in Kentucky, I’m familiar with the stereotypes (and don’t much appreciate them).
Oh, and did I mention the photography is gorgeous? Andy is great behind the lens.
Definitely follow Andy on Instagram if you want to learn more about the book. He is regularly posting amazing photos and details from his travels.
— Christopher Schwarz
The crafters of chairs are as interesting as what they make. I am seeing ladderback chairs and rockers appearing on front porches where I did not see them just a few years ago, including ones made for children.
I have a child’s ladderback that I believe was made pre-Civil War in Lancaster, PA, and likely has had the rockers cut off due to its height and stance. Also an elegant adult size Philadelphia-area one in my wife’s family for generations, made for indoor use, maybe going on two centuries.
Fox Fire has articles on this subject.
Andy Glenn is great
I appreciate this…..
This is actually very exciting. What I’m fired up to read are the stories from the different chair makers. I’m sold already.
I think you’ll love the stories. And the chairs are incredible.
Chris, it may be too late for Owen Rein to add to his research but I thought you might pass on some information to him. There is a long tradition of post-and-rung rocking chairs in central Mississippi. Greg Harkins is the most famous and has appeared in national and regional magazines (harkinschairs.com). Thomastown rockers is now out of business but at one time was a going factory. The Thomastown rocker is still made by a local craftsman at the Thomastown community in Leake County, MS.
Hi Marlin, I searched throughout Central Appalachia for makers. Greg was a little outside my parameter (as were a handful of other makers). Though North Carolinian maker Lyle Wheeler shared a story about Greg……..
Can’t wait for this book! Edit more quicklier!!!
We’re hustling…..
I’m already looking forward to this one. I’m sure this book will not be the same as the firefox series of books, and I’m sure this book will be much better … but … as I read this article, the firefox series came to mind.
The Firefox books have a few chairmakers. And then there’s Michael Owen Jones’ book about Chester Cornett. I own them both and have read them many times. This book is tailored to woodworkers. And covers a newer generation of makers. And has a greater diversity of techniques.
And Andy’s chapters on construction are unlike anything in those two sources.
Thanks Kelly. Better than Firefox…..that’s a tall order.
There’s definitely a connection. I travel through Central Appalachia recording chairs and stories. That’s similar. Though the stories, and the book, always returns to chairmaking. It’s full of tips, techniques, approaches, and experiences. My intention, both though story and pictures, is that it’s a deep dive into Appalachian ladderback chairmaking. There are 20+ makers in the book.
And I hope the makers receive the spotlight and recognition for their wonderful chairs.
Great! Looking forward to learn more about these chairmakers.
These are super comfortable chairs if made correctly.
These chairs are awesome – love ’em. Perfect chair to sit in and read/study an LAP book! I’ve wanted to build one for a loooooong time. Now, I will.
I’ve been following Andy’s posts about his work. It looks like a great book.
Thanks John.
I took a class Andy taught last year and first learned of the book at that time. I have been so excited to see the results of his research and time learning from these chairmakers. I have read and made a handful of ladderbacks based on JA’s MACFAT, and love the form. Our dining chairs at the kitchen table are all made that way.
A rocker would be a whole different challenge but I’m mostly just looking forward to learning more about how else to explore this form. Thank you Andy, and thank you LAP, as always. Any plans for a Crucible Drawknife to pair with this book? You are uniquely positioned to make the form with your existing relationships and audience.
I am looking forward to Andy’s new chair book, even though I am not currently a chair maker, but I have made a bench and a stool.
Cheers.
Thanks, Michael. This book will provide the inspiration and knowledge to make that first chair.
took 3 post-and-rung classes with andy in berea…….wonderful person and excellent craftsman and teacher…..sadly he will be sorely missed as he is leaving kelly’s old school …………maybe he will start a class in maine……………sign me up !!!!!……can’t wait for the book
The book is on the way. As for classes in Maine – those are in the works as well, beginning in spring ’24.
Ladderbacks and other early furniture styles are alive and well at the tiny custom shop known as The Sampler in Homer, Indiana. I own a set of the ladderbacks in black cherry, matched to a harvest table, as well as other chairs, tables, secretary desk, tea cart, quilt rack, armoire, side tables and bookcases. All were custom built many years ago and have the warm patina that characterizes native black cherry. See the 5300 series of chairs and the tables at:
https://www.samplercherryfurniture.com/dining-room-chairs.
The Sampler shop is under the third ownership of which since founding in 1946 by Bob and Emy Waggener.