Earlier than Vermont grew to become broadly identified for tremendous woodworking and heirloom-quality furnishings, there was H.T. Cushman—a trailblazer in craftsmanship and innovation. Based in 1886 in Bennington, Cushman Furnishings helped form the state’s status as a hub for American-made hardwood furnishings.
At Vermont Woods Studios, we’re proud to proceed that legacy at present by crafting sustainable, handcrafted furnishings proper right here in Vermont. On this put up, we check out Cushman’s wealthy historical past, their influence on the trade, and why their work continues to be celebrated by vintage collectors and design fans alike.
What was H.T. Cushman?
The H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Firm was based in 1886 and spent near 100 years constructing furnishings in Bennington, Vermont. The corporate started by constructing coat racks, pencil bins, hat hangers, and extra, however quickly grew to become well-known for his or her furnishings.
The enterprise was bought to Common Industries in 1964 by Corridor W. Cushman, the third technology of the Cushman household to handle the enterprise. In 1971 the ability was bought to Inexperienced Mountain Furnishings Co, which subsequently went out of enterprise in 1980.
Despite the fact that the H.T. Cushman firm is not producing furnishings, their influence on the legacy of furnishings craftsmanship in Vermont is evident.
The Historical past & Legacy of Cushman Furnishings
Craftsman Charles Breen applies a hand-rubbed end to a drop leaf extension desk within the Cushman manufacturing facility in Bennington, Vermont, circa 1930
Maybe probably the most spectacular feat completed by the Cushman firm was its means to reinvent itself.
“H.T. Cushman began enterprise in 1886 making hat racks and novelties in a store east of the previous stone gristmill on Prospect Avenue. This burned in 1889, was constructed up directly the place enterprise continued till 1892 when it was moved to the stone mill on Water Avenue. From novelties they turned to creating Mission furnishings, then smoker stands. In 1933 the making of colonial furnishings was began and this continued below the Cushman title till 1964 when the enterprise was bought, thus finishing a household enterprise which lasted 78 years.” – Burton Bromley, Foreman on the Cushman Firm for over 50 years, in an essay revealed by the Bennington Museum
It started in 1886 manufacturing small “novelties,” then pivoted within the 1890’s in direction of house furnishings. By 1901 the corporate had developed a catalog of mission model furnishings, which bought nicely for a decade or so.
With gross sales of mission furnishings declining after 1910 or so, the corporate wanted one thing new to bolster gross sales. In 1913, Will “W.H.C.” Cushman (son of Henry Theodore Cushman) designed the primary “smoking stands.” These have been extremely common for nearly a decade earlier than their practicality grew to become outdated.
Commercial for Cushman furnishings faculty smoking stands. Circa 1928. Supply.
Dealing with declining gross sales of people who smoke and mission furnishings, in addition to the depths of the Nice Melancholy, the H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Firm as soon as once more managed to reinvent itself. They have been capable of rating a profitable bid on dorm room furnishings for among the native faculties in Vermont, and that saved them alive through the late 1920’s.
Cushman Colonial Creations
H.T. Cushman Catalog selling their new “Colonial Creations” assortment. Circa 1940. Supply.
In 1933, the corporate launched a group of early American furnishings impressed by the Colonial Revival motion of the late 1800’s. These new designs, produced by long-time worker Herman DeVrie, have been branded as “Cushman Colonial Creations” and reinvigorated the corporate’s gross sales over the subsequent 25 years. Cushman Colonial Creations featured turned picket legs, stable hardwood development, and conventional American craftsmanship.
The Finish of the Street
The corporate was bought to Common Industries in 1964 after which once more to Inexperienced Mountain Furnishings Co in 1971. Inexperienced Mountain Furnishings Co went out of enterprise in 1980, ending the 100+ 12 months historical past of furnishings making within the H.T. Cushman facility in Bennington, Vermont.
Cushman Antiques
The furnishings manufactured by Cushman continues to be extremely valued and wanted at present. There’s a vibrant com
munity of vintage merchants focusing on shopping for and promoting Cushman furnishings. You could find vintage Cushman furnishings on Fb or Craigslist.
Timeline of the Rise & Fall of Cushman Furnishings
Vermont furnishings craftsman turns desk legs on the lathe on the Cushman Furnishings manufacturing facility in Bennington, Vermont. Circa 1945. Supply.
The corporate manufactured furnishings with oak, maple, and birch and used quite a lot of wooden finishes over time, together with a proprietary lacquer & wax end developed by Will Cushman. Here’s a timeline of the historical past of Cushman Furnishings.
- 1844: Henry Theodore “H.T.” Cushman born in Bennington, Vermont
- 1863: On the age of 19, H.T. Cushman enlists within the navy for the Fourth Vermont Infantry and fights within the Civil Warfare till late 1864
- 1864: Henry Cushman is disbanded from the Infantry and begins his entrepreneurial journey.
- Early 1870’s: Cushman begins making “novelties” in a small area adjoining to the general public library.
- 1886: Henry Theodore Cushman founds the H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Firm.
- 1901: Cushman releases full line of mission model furnishings
- 1913: William “W.C.H” Cushman designs a line of smoking stands that rapidly take off in gross sales
- Late 1920’s: Cushman’s receives contract to construct dorm room furnishings for Bennington Faculty
- 1933: “Cushman Colonial Creations,” impressed by early American furnishings and the colonial revivalist motion is designed and launched by long-time worker Herman DeVries
- 1964: H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Firm bought by Common Industries
- 1971: The Cushman manufacturing facility gear was bought by Inexperienced Mountain Furnishings Co.
- 1980: Inexperienced Mountain Furnishings Co goes out of enterprise.
Persevering with Vermont’s Furnishings Custom
Though Cushman Furnishings is not in manufacturing, their dedication to craftsmanship and timeless design lives on within the work we do at Vermont Woods Studios. Every bit we make is hand made from sustainably sourced North American hardwoods, just some hours from Cushman’s authentic manufacturing facility in Bennington.
Whether or not you are trying to find a future vintage or one thing constructed to final a lifetime, discover our collections and be a part of Vermont’s furnishings legacy.
