White Furniture Company facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
White Furniture Company
|
|
 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | E. Center and N. 5th Sts., Mebane, North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Built | 1905 |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003422 |
| Added to NRHP | July 29, 1982 |
The White Furniture Company was a famous American company that made beautiful, handmade furniture for over 100 years. It was started in 1881 and closed in 1993. The company was founded by the White Brothers in Mebane, North Carolina. They were known for making furniture for the United States government and for a famous hotel called the Grove Park Inn.
Contents
How the Company Started
The White Brothers' Big Idea
In 1881, two brothers named Dave and Will White decided to start their own furniture company. They used a small loan and $275 they had saved from working as telegraph operators. This money was their "capital," which means the money they used to start their business.
Their father, Stephen A. White III, had some money problems. Dave and Will wanted to help their family's name by paying back their father's debts. This goal was a big reason why they decided to start the factory.
Early Days and Growth
Will White became the president of the company, and Dave White was the general manager. The White brothers were very determined business owners. They cared a lot about their town and believed that growing their factory helped their community.
At first, they only had simple tools like a plane (a tool for shaping wood) and a boiler (a machine that makes steam). They mostly made round oak dining tables and wagon wheels.
By 1886, the company was doing well. A local businessman invested money to help White Furniture grow even more. This allowed them to buy better machines. Soon, the company had 32 employees. They started making tables, chairs, and even a full bedroom set. This solid-oak bedroom set included a bed, a dresser, and a washstand, and it sold for only nine dollars!
Making Furniture for the Government
Furniture for the Panama Canal
In 1906, the United States government was building the Panama Canal. Many new buildings were needed in Panama to house the army engineers and workers. These buildings needed furniture.
The White Furniture Company won a big contract to provide most of this furniture. A local newspaper wrote about it, saying that the train cars carrying the furniture had huge banners. These banners said, "FROM THE WHITE FURNITURE CO., MEBANE, N.C., FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT, PANAMA CANAL."
This was a very important moment because it was the first time a furniture contract like this was given to a company from the southern United States. A total of 58 train cars full of furniture traveled all the way from North Carolina to the Panama Canal.
Just one year later, in 1907, the White Furniture Company won another award. They were named "Best manufacturer of American furniture" at the Jamestown Exhibition. This was a big celebration that happened 300 years after the founding of the Jamestown Settlement.
