A Tribute to the Furniture Capital of the World
The city of High Point solidified its role as the “Furniture Capital of the World” in the 1950’s following the conclusion of World War II, however it was even earlier that this notoriety in furniture fame began. The swift rise of industrial production following the turn of the twentieth century led to a booming furniture manufacturing hub in High Point. By 1901, there were 44 furniture-producing factories and sales generated almost $2 million per year. The first biannual Southern Furniture Market was held in 1909 in a collaboration between the High Point Furniture Exposition Company and the Furniture Manufacturers’ Exposition Company. What we now know as High Point Furniture Market boasts a whopping 75-80 thousand visitors at each event from all over the world. As a tribute to the local heritage, the World’s Largest Chest of Drawers was built in 1926.
The massive structure stands 36 feet tall and amazes viewers, whether they have an interest in architecture and design or not. The monument as we know it today did not always look like that, though. Upon its construction, the chest of drawers was originally painted with a white wash and stood about 20 feet tall with an attached “mirror” that nearly doubled its height. Built as a welcome center and, (at the time), the world’s largest bureau of information, the structure wowed onlookers from all over. It quickly became a symbol of High Point and was printed on brochures, postcards, and various goods produced there. When the bureau was in disarray and no longer needed, Sid Lenger, a craftsman from High Point, took it upon himself to remodel the structure.
In 1996, it was transformed into the Queen Anne style chest of drawers we recognize today. The mirror was removed and the drawers were expanded to reach 36 feet high alone. It was modeled after an 18th century Goddard-Townsend chest with brass handles. Two socks were added draping out of one of the drawers as a tribute to High Point’s hosiery industry. The synthetic stucco outer layer was painted to resemble a cherry-stained wood and the socks had a tasteful pattern printed on them. The idea was to create a timeless landmark that would last for generations to see. However, this was not the only remodel that the monument underwent.
In 2003, the monument was sold to a real estate broker who, in an attempt to make it more trendy, painted over the structure with a dark grey and made the socks a gaudy green and orange. The paint job made a mockery of what was once a classic and elegant tribute to High Point’s history. Luckily, this did not last long as two years later the structure was sold to High Point University and in 2018, they hired Brian Davis, a local artist and designer who had worked with Lenger, to restore it. Using Lenger’s original paint formula, the cherry wood returned and the socks were repainted with the colors of the local university and minor league baseball team, the High Point Rockers. Davis’ eye for detail also resulted in him painting dovetail joints on the side of the open drawer to honor the craftsmanship of the original furniture piece it was based on.
The massive chest of drawers has served as the world’s largest bureau, an office for the city’s children’s museum, and a home for the High Point Jaycees to name a few of its purposes. It is a true High Point landmark steeped in history. What may seem like a quirky roadside attraction has attracted viewers from all over for the past century. This year marks the centennial anniversary of the monument, making it the perfect time to come see it for yourself. Witnessing an art piece commemorating over 100 years of rich furniture history as well as a dedication to High Point’s pride in its industry and local community is something everybody can appreciate. The World’s Largest Chest of Drawers is conveniently located on North Hamilton Street downtown. You can plan a stop in between furniture shopping or make it an experience on its own.
Sources: