Four New Oral Histories Of Industry Leaders Released From The American Home Furnishings Hall Of Fame
Furniture World News Desk on
4/22/2015
The American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation reported that it has published four new oral histories of furniture industry leaders: G. Alex Bernhardt, Sr., Howard G. Haas, Kevin M. O’Connor; and Art Van Elslander. The hardcover books include company and family photos.
The interviews are extensive, professionally conducted oral histories that provide insight into their lives, the times, the industry and their companies as a historical reference for research and future generations.
Eight other oral histories in the publishing process are: John D. Bassett III; Donald A. Belgrad; Joseph Cory Sr.; Hassel H. Franklin; Hymie Itzkovitz; Ronald G. Wanek; and Gerald and John Wolf.
Forty-seven of the 54-book set have now been published. Those released previously include: Nathan S. Ancell; John C. Bernhardt; Alvin E. Bland; Rose G. Blumkin; Douglas Brackett; E. L. Briggs; Paul H. Broyhill; David J. Brunn; Bob Bush, Sr.; Joe Caroll; Dan Hutcheson Edmonson; Bert Roy Fenn; O. William Fenn; Joseph G. Gerard; John R. Gerken, Jr.; Charles O. Gordon; Stella and Darrell Harris; Rawson Haverty, Sr.; Mary McKenzie Henkel; W.G. Holliman, Jr.; Clyde Hooker, Jr.; Don A. Hunziker; Leo August Jiranek; William P. Kemp, Sr.; J. Wade Kincaid; Steven M. Kincaid; Bernard B. Lane; Joanna C. Maitland; Hyman Meyers; Stephen Henry Millender; Patrick H. Norton; Stephen Knight Pond; Joseph E. Richardson II; Lawrence K. Schnadig; Gordon Segal; Irving B. Sherman; Edwin J. Shoemaker; Harley F. Shuford, Jr.; Charles R. Sligh, Jr.; Robert H. Spilman; John B, Vaughan; Howard O. Walker; and Elliott S. Wood.
In 2008, the Hall of Fame Foundation received a grant from the Furniture Foundation to digitize the transcripts and tapes of 33 previously recorded oral interviews that were in danger of being lost. These interviews, along with 14 additional new oral histories, are available online at
www.homefurnishingshalloffame.com. Individual copies cost $25 each.
The Foundation continues to grow its oral history program and is accepting recommendations for other industry leaders whose stories need to be captured. To send suggestions or receive more information, please contact
lestep@furniturehalloffame.com.
The American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is an international, industry-wide organization founded to honor those individuals whose outstanding achievements have contributed to the continued growth and development of the U.S. home furnishings industry, as well as to research, collect and preserve our cultural, economic and artistic history. Membership includes eligibility to nominate candidates for consideration by the Selection Committee, and the opportunity to help preserve the history and heritage of the industry. The organization is based in High Point, North Carolina at 202 Neal Place, and can be reached at 336.882.5900.