Martinsville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Furnishing a Nation

— Furnishing a Nation: The story of furniture making in Martinsville-Henry County —

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 4, 2026

1. Furnishing a Nation Marker

Inscription. A few men changed the shape of Martinsville-Henry County forever. On the heels of the Civil War and with the decline of the planter class, they had the dream of making furniture. It was through their integrity and perseverance that the area’s furniture industry was founded over 100 years ago. Here is the story – the highs and lows – of how Martinsville-Henry County furnished a nation and still does.

In 1901, J. D. Bassett, Sr., at the age of 35, saw the nearly unlimited future in Southern furniture manufacturing. He and his brother and brother-in-law pooled their entire resources. Totaling $27,500, and converted their sawmill business into a furniture factory. From this small beginning, the Bassett Furniture Industries grew over the next 100 years into a publicly traded company with 2008 sales topping $228 million.

Five years later, in 1906, American Furniture Company was founded by two Martinsville tobacco men, Ancil Witten and Charles Keesee. With 12 other local business leaders, these men raised an original capitalization of $30,000. The company has grown substantially and first surpassed $100 million in sales

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in 1989. Today, the company specializes in producing furniture for the hotel and healthcare industries, and operates as American of Martinsville. Open a dresser drawer the next time you stay in a hotel and, chances are, you’ll see an American of Martinsville logo.

In 1924, Thomas B. Stanley, a Bassett Furniture executive and family member by marriage, left the company and moved down the Smith River a few miles and started his own company, Stanley Furniture. Stock securities totaling $300,000 were quickly sold to local interests to finance the new factory. By 1929, the company was free of debt. After struggling through a financial crisis in the early 1930s, Stanley Furniture emerged as one of the leaders in the furniture industry. In 2008, the company had $226 million in annual sales.

Hooker Furniture Company was started in 1924 on donated land and $28,000 in donations from local townspeople. The money was a direct gift – local people received no stock, not so much as a receipt in return. What they bought was 29-year-old J. Clyde Hooker’s promise of jobs and increased payrolls for the citizens of Martinsville. They young man didn’t

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 4, 2026

2. Furnishing a Nation Marker

let the city down. Today, Hooker Furniture’s payroll exceeds $40 million annually. Company employees own, as a group, in excess of 30% of the company through its Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

When Richard P. Gravely wanted to start Gravely Furniture Company in 1926, people already had seen how successful furniture companies could be. He raised his necessary $100,000 capitalization in 48 hours. By the 1960s, Gravely added to its line of fine quality case goods and began producing wall and floor clocks. Soon they became known as the world’s leading producer of grandfather clocks. It was here that Ridgeway Clocks was born.

The rise of these furniture giants sparked a whole host of other companies forming to support the furniture industry – from mirror plants to tool companies that supplied machine tools to the industry.

Erected 2009 by City of Martinsville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 36° 41.414′ N, 79° 52.258′ W. Marker is in Martinsville, Virginia. It is on Church Street East, on the right when traveling east.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 4, 2026

3. Furnishing a Nation Marker

The Marker is located in Furniture Heritage Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 37 Church Street East, Martinsville VA 24112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Early Years (here, next to this marker); 1990s and beyond (here, next to this marker); 1930s to 1950s (here, next to this marker); 1960s to 1980s (here, next to this marker); Chief Tassel (within shouting distance of this marker); Martinsville Seven (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Henry County U.D.C. Monument (about 800 feet away); Martinsville (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all

The Big Chair image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 4, 2026

4. The Big Chair

markers in Martinsville.

The Big Chair Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 4, 2026

5. The Big Chair Dedication Plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 5, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.