History of Statton Furniture

Statton Furniture Company, founded in 1926, holds a significant place in American furniture history, known for its high-quality craftsmanship and traditional designs. Here’s an overview of the history of Statton Furniture:

Founding: Statton Furniture Company was established in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1926 by Harold “Hap” Statton. The company began as a small woodworking shop, producing handcrafted wooden furniture pieces.

Craftsmanship: From its inception, Statton Furniture distinguished itself through its commitment to quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. Skilled artisans employed traditional woodworking techniques to create furniture pieces of exceptional quality and durability.

Expansion and Success: Over the years, Statton Furniture grew and expanded its operations, gaining recognition for its heirloom-quality furniture. The company’s reputation for excellence and craftsmanship helped it establish a loyal customer base and achieve success in the furniture industry.

Colonial Reproductions: One of Statton Furniture’s most notable contributions to American furniture history was its production of Colonial reproduction furniture. The company specialized in crafting faithful reproductions of 18th-century American furniture designs, including pieces inspired by Chippendale, Queen Anne, and Hepplewhite styles.

Authenticity and Accuracy: Statton Furniture’s Colonial reproduction pieces were known for their authenticity and accuracy. Skilled craftsmen studied original antique furniture pieces, meticulously recreating them using traditional woodworking techniques and materials to achieve historical accuracy.

Partnership with Colonial Williamsburg: Statton Furniture forged a partnership with Colonial Williamsburg, a historic preservation and restoration project in Virginia. This collaboration resulted in the Colonial Williamsburg Reproductions collection, which featured furniture pieces meticulously recreated from original 18th-century designs.

Legacy: Statton Furniture’s legacy extends beyond its craftsmanship and product offerings. The company played a significant role in preserving and promoting traditional American furniture styles, contributing to the revival of interest in colonial and early American design aesthetics.

Acquisition by Pennsylvania House: In 1991, Statton Furniture was acquired by Pennsylvania House, another well-known furniture manufacturer specializing in traditional and reproduction furniture. The acquisition marked the end of an era for Statton Furniture as an independent company but ensured the continued availability of its designs through Pennsylvania House.

Collector’s Items: Vintage Statton Furniture pieces, particularly those from the Colonial Williamsburg Reproductions collection, are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of traditional American furniture. Their association with quality craftsmanship, historical accuracy, and colonial design aesthetics adds to their appeal as collectible pieces.

Enduring Influence: Although Statton Furniture is no longer in operation as an independent company, its legacy of craftsmanship, authenticity, and commitment to traditional design aesthetics continues to influence the furniture industry and the appreciation of American craftsmanship.

In summary, Statton Furniture Company holds a distinguished place in American furniture history, known for its high-quality craftsmanship, colonial reproduction designs, and enduring legacy of excellence. Whether as functional pieces of furniture or collectible items cherished for their historical significance, Statton Furniture pieces continue to be admired and appreciated by collectors, enthusiasts, and homeowners alike.

Statton has a special place in our heart because the original Statton company is a family company and was formed so near to our little furniture store. Who knew Hagerstown MD had such a gem of a furniture maker!

Philo and Helen Statton established the Statton company in the 1920s starting with a line of bedroom furniture. Devoted to quality and bench-made craftsmanship, the company eventually grew to offer dining room furniture as well and reached national distribution in the 1960s. Their pieces are heirloom pieces– done with great attention to construction.

You will rarely see an ornate piece of Statton; mostly their furniture is built with function dictating the form. But this doesn’t mean ugly duckling furniture– the beauty of Statton is in the clean lines and amazing finish which reputedly is a, wait for it, 25 step process. WOW. And we thought we were perfectionists.

We love Statton cherry and mahogany. There is always a little somethin’ somethin’ about Statton which makes us take a double take. It’s subtle; sometimes it is just a beveled edge on their table tops or desks. Sometimes it is a little more undercut carving in their dining chairs. Or how a bed post fits smoothly in the palm of your hand. It is not pretentious furniture. But it is furniture pretentious people gravitate towards. In other words, it is expensive. Cha Ching!

Unless you shop at Bohemians. We strive to price our Statton competitively for the everyday buyer. And we snatch up every piece of Statton we can find, even if we have to restore a finish that is lost to wear and time.

In 2008, after four generations of ownership, they closed their doors forever, struggling to compete with companies who have moved production overseas. 🙁 but wait…

In the last few years, there has been an effort to reestablish the company and it continues to sell modern made pieces using their key devotion to hand-crafted furniture. There is hope! If you’d like, you can check out their website www.statton.com to see some of their current offerings.

Thank you for reading our story about Statton Furniture,
Rachel La Bohème
Bohemians