American Furniture Hall Of Fame Adds Four Members

Furniture World Magazine

The American Furniture Hall of Fame added four new members for 1999: Nathan S. Ancell (1908 - 1999), Don Allen Hunziker (1927), Harley Ferguson Shuford Jr. (1937), and Elliot Sherrill Wood (1909 - 1999). The new members, selected from 14 nominees, were inducted during the eleventh annual banquet gala held at the International Home Furnishings Center's ballroom on the opening night of Market, October 14, 1999. Nathan S. Ancell (1908 - 1999) was celebrated as "Honored Founder" of The American Furniture Hall of Fame as his "Affie" award was presented. The special tribute by Patrick H. Norton, Chairman of La-Z-Boy Incorporated, noted his contributions to the furniture industry during sixty years of visionary leadership. Co-Founder of Ethan Allen, with his brother-in-law Theodore Baumritter in 1932, Nat was known as the father of the gallery concept. His mission statement, "Home is the Core of Civilization", guided his vision and became for many the true mission "To promote dreams not just furniture-to help consumers have the attractive homes they want, regardless of the station in life." A true builder of the industry, he was founder and first president of The Home Furnishings Council, received the first "Distinguished Service Award" from The American Furniture Manufacturers Association and served as leader, encourager, and inspiration to industry leaders for most of the 20' Century. Don Allen Hunziker (1927) began his career with Lea Furniture Company in Richmond, Virginia and worked his way up to the presidency. He joined with other management personnel in 1981 to purchase Lea Industries, American-Drew, and Daystrom from the Sperry and Hutchinson Company forming LADD. Under his leadership, LADD survived a depression and high interest rates to become one of the largest furniture manufacturers in the country. Hunziker received the "Distinguished Service Award" from AFMA and was named "Chief Executive Of The Year" by "Financial World Magazine" in 1988. Harley Ferguson Shuford, Jr. (1937) became president of Century Furniture in 1969 with the retirement of his father, Harley F. Shuford Sr., founder of Century. Buck, who had aspired to become an astronaut and a scientist, majored in physics at UNC-CH graduating Phi Beta Kappa. As president, he put his scientific background to work using computer technology to achieve greater efficiencies. He moved Century into production of furniture with quality and style, added plant and showroom space that spurred solid growth as Century became one of the premier furniture manufacturers in this country. He received the AFMA "Distinguished Service Award" in 1994 and served on the first board of trustees of the American Furniture Hall of Fame. Elliot Sherrill Wood (1909 - 1999) started his first furniture manufacturing company, Heritage, in 1937 and built high-quality product that raised the reputation of southern-made furniture. Wood launched Founders Furniture in 1946 and, in 1947, was on the founding board of directors of high-end manufacturer Henredon. In 1957 Heritage merged with Drexel and Morganton to become Drexel-Heritage. In 1963, Wood and partners founded Woodmark, and in 1981 he founded Markwood, which provided venture capital for the industry and helped launch many other furniture enterprises. The American Furniture Hall of Fame is an all industry effort organized to honor those individuals whose outstanding achievements have contributed to the continued growth and development of the American furniture industry and to research, collect and preserve the cultural and artistic history. For more information call the AFHF at (336) 882-5900.