Please contact either
Tim or Bob for more information and a personalized quote today.
(231) 937-4367
Our Company
Heritage
Today, Michigan chair Company is exclusively a custom solid hardwood
steam bending company marketing to both residential and contract
furniture manufacturers. The
Michigan Chair Company name has been in existence for 120 years. Over its
history, it has made a variety furniture and furniture parts. It has
also gone through a number of different ownerships.
Michigan Chair Company was incorporated in 1890 in Grand Rapids, and
initially produced inexpensive furniture, but by 1900 was marketing
a line of Mission style furniture. Their catalog by this time
included over 1500 chairs in the popular styles of the time. Later
they produced chairs of various period revival designs distinguished
by a high degree of carving. By the 1930’s they were making Art Deco
furniture, but went out of business in 1938 probably due to the
depression.
Michigan Chair Company was reincorporated by Albert Kuiper in 1946
in Grand Rapids, as a much smaller company. They produced some Adams
style reproductions, but mostly high style Italian chairs. The chair
making division was sold to Kindel Furniture Company in 1970,
continuing as a contract solid wood bending company. In 1972
Michigan Chair Company moved to Howard City MI. Albert Kuiper died
in 1980 and his son-in-law Robert Hoolsema purchased the company. He
subsequently sold it to his sons Robert Jr. and Timothy in 2001.
With the numerous changes of ownership and location, catalogs and
other information have been lost. Please visit our
Historical Gallery Page to view albums and downloadable
files we have made available. The Public Museum of Grand Rapids may
be an additional source for information. Contact Chris Carron at the
Public Museum of Grand Rapids (616) 456-3977
http://www.grmuseum.org.