Guide to the Charles Horton Papers, 1918 - 1980

Collection Number MC 324

NCSU Libraries logo

Collection Information
Abstract:

The Charles Horton Papers contain photographs, drawings, furniture catalogues, price lists, correspondence, and financial information related to Horton's career as a free-lance furniture designer in Statesville, North Carolina.

Charles M. Horton (1912 - 1987) was a furniture designer in Statesville, North Carolina. He graduated from Statesville High School and never studied furniture design in a formal setting. He began his career working with his brother and his father, Fred Horton. As his father's successor, he became a free-lance furniture designer in one of the most prosperous furniture manufacturing centers in the country. He designed individual pieces and suites for manufacturers throughout the Southeast. Among his clients were Lexington Chair Company and Burlington Furniture Company in North Carolina, Pulaski Furniture in Virginia, Trogdon Furniture in Georgia, and Williams Furniture Corporation in South Carolina.

Contact Information:
Special Collections Research Center
NCSU Libraries
Campus Box 7111
Raleigh, North Carolina
27695-7111 USA
Phone: (919) 515-2273
Fax: (919) 513-1787
URL: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/specialcollections/
Web Contact Form
Processed by
Dawne E. Howard
Date Completed
2006 December
Encoded by
Dawne E. Howard

Descriptive Summary

Repository

North Carolina State University Libraries, Special Collections Research Center

Creator

Horton, Charles M., 1912-1987

Title

Charles Horton papers, 1918 - 1980

Call Number

MC 324

Extent

27 archival storage boxes, 23 linear feet

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff.

Information for Users

Restrictions to Access

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
Acquisitions Information

Donated by Briget Horton, of Raleigh, N.C.; Adelaide Horton of New York, N.Y.; and Martha Horton Hart of Raleigh, N.C.; September 2002.
Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Charles Horton Papers, MC 324, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, N.C.
Copyright Notice

The nature of the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NCSU Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Biographical Note


Charles M. Horton (1912 - 1987) was a furniture designer in Statesville, North Carolina. He graduated from Statesville High School and never studied furniture design in a formal setting. He began his career working with his brother and his father, Fred Horton. As his father's successor, he became a free-lance furniture designer in one of the most prosperous furniture manufacturing centers in the country.

Horton designed individual pieces and suites for manufacturers throughout the Southeast. Among his clients were Lexington Chair Company and Burlington Furniture Company in North Carolina, Pulaski Furniture in Virginia, Trogdon Furniture in Georgia, and Williams Furniture Corporation in South Carolina. Williams Furniture Corporation merged with Georgia-Pacific Corporation in 1967, becoming the Williams Furniture Division.

Horton's designs reflect the interests and taste of middle-income families after World War II, when many people were establishing and furnishing homes. He designed for a clientele who wanted the warmth and security of "early American" values -- solid wood, patterned fabrics, and stability. His contribution to the cultivation of this taste, pervasive in the 1960s, was seen in his design for pieces for every room of the house in his "Village Square" suite. Manufactured by Williams Furniture Company, the "Village Square" suite received national attention in major newspapers nationwide, and was featured on the gameshow The Price is Right for eleven weeks in 1961. Horton was credited with the shift in furniture taste to "early American design." He was also called the "poor man's friend" for his affordable designs for the mass market.

Scope and Content Note


The Charles Horton Papers contain photographs, drawings, furniture catalogues, price lists, correspondence, and financial information related to Charles Horton's career as a free-lance furniture designer in Statesville, North Carolina

Promotional materials in this collection include catalogs from more than 100 companies and include both furniture and furniture hardware. Some of the catalogs contain suites designed by Horton; others contain desgins that influenced his work. Most of the catalogs promote suites from Williams Furniture Corporation (which became the Williams Furniture Division of the Georgia-Pacific Corporation in 1967). Other companies include Bassick-Sack, Burlington Furniture Company, American Drew, Thomasville Furniture Company, Pulaski Furniture Company, and Keeler Brass Company. Price lists are available with some of the catalogs. There is also a "Village Square" scrapbook, which highlights the collection Horton designed for Williams Furniture Company. This scrapbook includes drawings, photographs, newspaper articles, correspondence, and references to the furniture's appearance as prizes on the game show The Price is Right in 1961.

Most of the drawings in this collection appear to be for South Carolina's Williams Furniture Corporation, but drawings for other companies, including Lexington Chair Company and Burlington Furniture Company of North Carolina and Pulaski Furniture Company of Virginia, are also included. Other drawings are from Williams Furniture Corporation's "Ashley River,""Casual Oak,""Stoneleigh Manor,""Vive La,""Wedgefield Court,""Village Square," and "Bunk House" lines.

The collection also contains books, including The Charm of Sovereign Wood, Then and Now in Furniture: Early American, Kensington Furniture, A History of American Furniture, and The Berkey & Gay Style Book.

Organization of the Collection


This collection is divided into four series:
1. Promotional Materials
2. Business Transactions
3. Drawings
4. Books

Online Catalog Terms


The following terms have been used to index the guide to the collection in the NCSU Library's online catalog.

Individuals

  • Horton, Charles M., 1912-1987.

Corporate Entitites

  • Burlington Furniture Company.
  • Georgia-Pacific Corporation. Williams Furniture Division.
  • Lexington Chair Company.
  • Pulaski Furniture Company.
  • Williams Furniture Corporation.

Topics

  • Furniture--United States--Catalogs.
  • Furniture--United States--Drawings.
  • Furniture--United States--Photographs.
  • Furniture design--United States--History--20th century.
  • Furniture designers--North Carolina--History--20th century.
  • Furniture industry and trade--United States--History--20th century.

Detailed Description of the Collection


  • Series 1:Promotional Materials


    10 linear feet, 14 archival boxes

    This series contains furniture catalogs, reference catalogs for furniture hardware supplies and period ornaments, advertisements, and photographs from more than 100 furniture companies. Horton's "The Village Square" scrapbook is also included in this series.

    The majority of the furniture catalogs come from Williams Furniture Corporation (which became the Williams Furniture Division of the Georgia-Pacific Corporation in 1967), but also includes companies such as Burlington Furniture, Henredon Furniture Industries, Inc., Drexel, Thomasville Furniture Industries, Inc., American Drew, and Pulaski Furniture Corporation. Furniture suites designed by Horton include Burlington Furniture's "Halifax Square" and Wlliams Furniture Corporation's "The Nordic Collection,""San Simeon,""Fenwick Hall,""Carriage Mark,""Sunset Pine,""Casual Oak,""Chavala,""La Mancha,""Country Life,""King's Tree," and "Village Square." Horton is perhaps best remembered for the the "Village Square" line. "The Village Square" scrapbook includes photographs, clippings, letters from distributors, photocopies of advertisements from newspapers nationwide, and newspaper interviews with Horton that record the significance of this line. Also included in the scrapbook are letters and pricelists pertaining to the use of the furniture as prizes on the gameshow The Price is Right in 1961.

    Some of the companies included in this collection are closely related. For example, Henry T. Link split Dixie into four companies in the 1950s and 1960s: Link-Taylor, Young Hinkle, and Henry Link. These companies are now known as Lexington Home Brands.

    Reference catalogs include Period Furniture Hardware by Keeler Brass Company, Carvings by John Walter & Sons, and brass hardware catalogs from Bassick-Sack.

    Arrangement: alphabetical by company

    • Allan Keith [MC 324 Box 1, Folder 1]
    • American Drew [MC 324 Box 12, Folder 1]
    • American Furniture Novelty Co. [MC 324 Box 1, Folder 2]
    • American of Martinsville [MC 324 Box 12, Folder 2]
    • Astra Bent Wood Furniture Company [MC 324 Box 1, Folder 3]
    • Baker Furniture, Inc. [MC 324 Box 1, Folder 4]
    • The Bartley Collection, Ltd. [MC 324 Box 1, Folder 5]
    • Basic-Witz Corporation [MC 324 Box 1, Folder 6]
    • Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. [MC 324 Box 1, Folder 7]
    • Bassick-Sack (1 of 4) [MC 324 Box 1, Folder 8]
    • Bassick-Sack (2 of 4) [MC 324 Box 1, Folder 9]
    • Bassick-Sack (3 of 4) [MC 324 Box 1, Folder 10]
    • Bassick-Sack (4 of 4) [MC 324 Box 2, Folder 1]
    • Bennington/Vermont of Winooski [MC 324 Box 12, Folder 3]
    • Bernhardt Furniture Company (includes Hibriten) [MC 324 Box 12, Folder 4]
    • Boynton Waddell Company [MC 324 Box 2, Folder 2]
    • B.P. John Furniture Corporation [MC 324 Box 2, Folder 3]
    • A. Brandt Company, Inc./Ranch Oak [MC 324 Box 2, Folder 4]
    • Brandt [MC 324 Box 2, Folder 5]
    • Broyhill Furniture Industries (includes Lenoir House) [MC 324 Box 12, Folder 5]
    • Burlington Furniture (1 of 2) [MC 324 Box 12, Folder 6]
    • Burlington Furniture (2 of 2) [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 1]
    • Carrollton Furniture Manufacturing Company [MC 324 Box 2, Folder 6]
    • Century Furniture Company [MC 324 Box 2, Folder 7]
    • Chautauqua Hardware Corporation (1 of 6) [MC 324 Box 2, Folder 8]
    • Chautauqua Hardware Corporation (2 of 6) [MC 324 Box 3, Folder 1]
    • Chautauqua Hardware Corporation (3 of 6) [MC 324 Box 3, Folder 2]
    • Chautauqua Hardware Corporation (4 of 6) [MC 324 Box 3, Folder 3]
    • Chautauqua Hardware Corporation (5 of 6) [MC 324 Box 3, Folder 4]
    • Chautauqua Hardware Corporation (6 of 6) [MC 324 Box 3, Folder 5]
    • Christmas Furniture Manufacturing Company [MC 324 Box 3, Folder 6]
    • Cochrane Furniture Company, Inc. [MC 324 Box 3, Folder 7]
    • Colony Tables Incorporated/Globe Furniture [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 1]
    • Conant Ball [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 2]
    • Consolidated Furniture Industries, Inc. [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 3]
    • Councill Craftsmen [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 4]
    • The Country Shop [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 5]
    • Currahee Furniture Company [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 6]
    • Davis Cabinet Company [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 7]
    • The Decorators Supply Company [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 8]
    • Dixie [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 9]
    • Drexel (1 of 2) [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 10]
    • Drexel (2 of 2) [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 11]
    • Emerson Manufacturing Company, Inc. [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 12]
    • Essex House Furniture [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 13]
    • Ethan Allen [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 14]
    • Exfer [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 15]
    • Federal Millwork Corporation [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 16]
    • Fort Harrison Products Corporation [MC 324 Box 4, Folder 17]
    • Frank Morrow Company [MC 324 Box 5, Folder 1]
    • Franklin Shockey Company [MC 324 Box 5, Folder 2]
    • General Interiors (A Portfolio of Great American Houses) [MC 324 Box 5, Folder 3]
    • General Interiors (Cushman Classics) [MC 324 Box 5, Folder 4]
    • General Interiors (Pennsylvania House) [MC 324 Box 5, Folder 5]
    • Gordon's, Inc. [MC 324 Box 5, Folder 6]
    • Habersham [MC 324 Box 5, Folder 7]
    • Harden Furniture [MC 324 Box 5, Folder 8]
    • Henkel-Harris [MC 324 Box 5, Folder 9]
    • Henredon Furniture Industries, Inc. (1 of 3) [MC 324 Box 5, Folder 10]
    • Henredon Furniture Industries, Inc. (2 of 3) [MC 324 Box 5, Folder 11]
    • Henredon Furniture Industries, Inc. (3 of 3) [MC 324 Box 6, Folder 1]
    • Henry Link [MC 324 Box 6, Folder 2]
    • Heritage [MC 324 Box 6, Folder 3]
    • Heywood-Wakefield [MC 324 Box 12, Folder 7]
    • Hickory Chair Company [MC 324 Box 6, Folder 4]
    • Hooker Furniture Corporation [MC 324 Box 6, Folder 5]
    • Invincible Parlor Frame Company, Inc. [MC 324 Box 6, Folder 6]
    • Jamestown Lounge Company [MC 324 Box 6, Folder 7]
    • Jaycee [MC 324 Box 6, Folder 8]
    • John Shuler & Associates [MC 324 Box 6, Folder 9]
    • John Walker & Sons Limited [MC 324 Box 6, Folder 10]
    • Karges Furniture Company, Inc. [MC 324 Box 12, Folder 8]
    • Keeler Brass Company (1 of 4) [MC 324 Box 6, Folder 11]
    • Keeler Brass Company (2 of 4) [MC 324 Box 7, Folder 1]
    • Keeler Brass Company (3 of 4) [MC 324 Box 7, Folder 2]
    • Keeler Brass Company (4 of 4) [MC 324 Box 7, Folder 3]
    • Keller Manufacturing Company, Inc. [MC 324 Box 7, Folder 4]
    • Kenlea Crafts, Inc. [MC 324 Box 7, Folder 5]
    • Kindel Furniture Company [MC 324 Box 7, Folder 6]
    • Kling [MC 324 Box 7, Folder 7]
    • Klise Manufacturing Company (1 of 2) [MC 324 Box 7, Folder 8]
    • Klise Manufacturing Company (2 of 2) [MC 324 Box 7, Folder 9]
    • Knapp & Tubbs [MC 324 Box 7, Folder 10]
    • Lane [MC 324 Box 7, Folder 11]
    • Lee Furniture Manufacturing Company [MC 324 Box 7, Folder 12]
    • Lexington Chair Company [MC 324 Box 7, Folder 13]
    • Link-Taylor [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 1]
    • Living Walls Inc. [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 2]
    • Ludlow Corporation (Forest Products) [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 3]
    • Maddox Colonial Reproductions [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 4]
    • Mengel [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 5]
    • MetaLoom Products [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 6]
    • Mobel, Inc. [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 7]
    • Moosehead Manufacturing Company/Colonial American Furniture [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 8]
    • Mount Airy Mantel & Table Company, Inc. [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 9]
    • Myrtle Desk! Library Division [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 10]
    • Newport Furniture Corporation [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 11]
    • Nichols & Stone Company [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 12]
    • Norman King & Son [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 13]
    • Ottens Products, Inc. [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 14]
    • Philadelphia Handle Company [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 15]
    • Pine Shop [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 16]
    • Pine-Tique Furniture Company [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 17]
    • Plymwood Furniture Corporation [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 18]
    • Pulaski Furniture Corporation [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 19]
    • Raymond E. Enkeboll [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 20]
    • Red Lion Table Company, Inc. [MC 324 Box 13, Folder 1]
    • Romweber [MC 324 Box 13, Folder 2]
    • Ronthor Reiss Corporation [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 21]
    • Schilling Furniture Company [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 22]
    • Schoolfield Furniture Industries [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 23]
    • Sherwin-Williams Company [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 24]
    • O. W. Slane Glass Company [MC 324 Box 8, Folder 25]
    • Sprague & Carleton [MC 324 Box 13, Folder 3]
    • Stanley [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 1]
    • Sterlingworth Corporation [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 2]
    • Sun Glow Furniture Industries [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 3]
    • Superior Tables [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 4]
    • Temple-Stuart [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 5]
    • Tennesee Furniture Industries, Inc. [MC 324 Box 13, Folder 4]
    • Thomasville Furniture Industries, Inc. [MC 324 Box 13, Folder 5]
    • Trogdon Furniture Company [MC 324 Box 13, Folder 6]
    • Unagusta Manufacturing Corporation [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 6]
    • Unique Furniture Makers [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 7]
    • United Furniture Corporation [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 8]
    • Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Company, Inc. [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 9]
    • Vermont Furniture Company, Inc. [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 10]
    • Walker & Zanger, Inc. [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 11]
    • Wendell Fabrics Corporation [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 12]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Adventure (No. 4400) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 13]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Apollo Collection (No. 8600) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 14]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - The Barony Oak (No. 2200) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 15]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - The "Belvedere" Group (No. K-7000) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 16]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Brittany Cottage (No. P300, P700, P1400) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 17]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Brittany Fair (No. 1800) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 18]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Bunk House (No. 6500) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 19]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Candlelight Pine (No. 5600) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 20]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Carriage Mark (No. 1700) (1 of 2) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 21]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Carriage Mark (2 of 2) [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Casual Oak Collection (R3300) (1 of 2) [MC 324 Box 13, Folder 7]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Casual Oak (2 of 2) [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Casual Provincial Collection (No. D-1700, No. K-1800) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 22]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Chavala (No. 1900) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 23]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - The Cherryvale Manor (No. 4200) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 24]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Colonial Maple (No. N2600) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 25]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Contemporary Modern [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Country Life (No. 7200) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 26]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Country Line U.S.A. (No. 2400) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 27]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Desks [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 28]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Discotheque (No. 1700) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 29]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - The Elizabeth Rutledge (No. 3200) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 30]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Fenwick Hall (No. 1600) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 31]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - The Fireside Collection (No. 2700) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 32]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Forefathers (No. 7800) [MC 324 Box 13, Folder 8]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Gallery Twenty One (No. 2100) [MC 324 Box 9, Folder 33]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - The Green Valley Pine (No. 2200) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 1]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Hacienda Oak (No. R-9000) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - High Country Oak (No. 9300) (1 of 2) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 3]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Italian Casual (No. 8800) (1 of 2) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 4]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Italian Casual (2 of 2) [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - King's Tree [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 5]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - La Mancha Collection (No. 7500) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 6]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Legend Oak (No. 4700) (1 of 2) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 7]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Legend Oak (2 of 2) [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - LindaVista (No. 7900) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 8]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Maple (No. K-3800) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 9]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Maple Series (No. T4800) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 10]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Middleton Collection [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Nordic Oak Collection [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Oxford Oak (No. 4800) (1 of 2) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 11]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Oxford Oak (2 of 2) [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Peaches and Cream [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 3]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Plastic Tops (No. 2300) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 12]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Rio Grande [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 13]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - The Roger Williams Group (No. 8700, No. 84700) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 14]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Rural French (No. 2500) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 15]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - San Lorenzo (No. 9100) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 16]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - San Simeon (No. 9800) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 17]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Savannah Inn [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 3]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Sectional Modern [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 3]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Show Off (No. 5300) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 18]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - The Sketchbook Series - Casual American [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 19]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Slumber Party (No. 5400) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 20]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Spanish Elegance (No. 9000) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 21]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Spice Box (No. 2100) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 22]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Stoneleigh Manor (No. 8200) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 23]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Sunset Oak (No. 7000) [MC 324 Box 13, Folder 9]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Today's Life (No. 3300) (1 of 2) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 24]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Today's Lifestyle (2 of 2) [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 3]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Tuvara Collection (No. 9500) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 25]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - "Urban" Modern Oak Collection (No. H3700) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 26]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Village Square (1 of 2) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 27]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Village Square (2 of 2) [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 3]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - "The Village Square" Scrapbook [MC 324 Box 14]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Whistle Stop [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 3]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Village Square Pine (No. 6400, No. 8100) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 28]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Vive La (No. 7600) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 29]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Wedgefield Court (No. 5000) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 30]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Young Miss (No. 1200) [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 31]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 32]
    • Winter Products Company [MC 324 Box 10, Folder 33]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Wonderful World of Plastic [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 3]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 4]
    • Wood Bros. Limited [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 1]
    • Young-Hinkle [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 2]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 3]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 4]
    • Unidentified price lists [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 5]
    • Magazine clippings [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 6]
    • Newspaper clippings [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 7]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • Series 2:Business Transactions, 1932-1979 and undated


    0.25 linear feet, 0.5 archival boxes

    This series consists of correspondence and financial documents.

    Correspondence from the 1940s includes letters between Horton and A. F. Lenart of Lee Radio Manufacturing Corporation in New York City; Bonner Thompson of Thomason Plywood Corporation in Fayetteville, North Carolina; Abe Mann of Abe Mann Furniture Sales Agency in New York City; and John S. Creech of Unique Furniture Makers of Winston-Salem, North Carolina Also included is a letter from Turner Manufacturing Company's J. M. Wagner to Jimmy Horton.

    Correspondence from the 1950s includes letters between Horton and Joseph Brunner of Wholesale Furniture in New York City; Abe Mann and Max Levy of Abe Mann Furniture Sales Agency; C. A. Troutman of Universal Company in High Point, North Carolina; F. P. Shockey of Shockey Company in Lexington, North Carolina; Ray Trogdon and Corbin Smith of Trogdon Furniture Company, in Toccoa, Georgia; W. E. Covington of Williams Furniture Corporation; and Margaret Hammersley of Home Furnishing Industry Committee. There are also many letters written to W. E. Covington regarding Williams Furniture Corporation's "Casual Oak" suite (No. R-3300).

    Correspondence from the 1960s includes letters between Horton and Dean of North Carolina State College's School of Desgin Henry L. Kamphoefner; and J. Clyde Hooker, Sr. of Hooker Furniture Corporation in Martinsville, Virginia; as well as a letter from Leonard Eisen of Interior Product Design to Fred Stanley of Pulaski Furniture Company.

    Correspondence from the 1979 and 1980 includes letters to Horton from Stanley DuBose of the Georgia-Pacific Corporation in Sumter, South Carolina; as well as memos from Royce A. Jones of Jackson, Mississippi to DuBose.

    Undated correspondence includes a letter from Horton with drawings for the "Spanish Provincial" suite. Also included are office memos mentioning the "Casual Oak" and "Today and Tomorrow" suites.

    Financial documents include a ledger dated from 1932 to 1934, as well as invoices and estimates dated from 1949 to 1977. There are numerous Companies mentioned in these documents, including Webb Furniture Company in Galax, Virginia; Conover Furniture Company in Conover, North Carolina; and Forest Furniture Company in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina

    • Furniture part identification [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 8]
    • Correspondence, 1946 - 1949 [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 9]
    • Correspondence, 1951 - 1959 [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 10]
    • Correspondence, 1962 - 1966 [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 11]
    • Correspondence, 1979 [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 12]
    • Correspondence and memos, undated
      includes drawings
      		 [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 13]
    • Ledger, 1932 - 1934 [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 14]
    • Financial information, 1949 - 1977, undated [MC 324 Box 11, Folder 15]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • Series 3:Drawings


    11 linear feet, 11 archival boxes

    The majority of the drawings in this collection appear to be for South Carolina's Williams Furniture Corporation, but drawings for other companies, including Lexington Chair Company and Burlington Furniture Company of North Carolina and Pulaski Furniture Company of Virginia,are also included. Drawings from Williams Furniture Corporation include the "Ashley River,""Casual Oak,""Stoneleigh Manor,""Vive La,""Wedgefield Ct.,""Village Square," and "Bunk House" suites.

    Drawings in this collection typically are in pencil and do not have any color; however, Horton added color to many. Colored drawings are typically done brown colored pencil, with yellow and red added to some. Most of the drawings are originals, altough a few are reproductions.

    Many drawings are labeled, making it clear which suite they belong to. Of these drawings, some can be matched with furniture pictured in catalogs. Of the drawings that cannot be matched to catalogue picutres, some were either discontinued or not included in the suite.

    Other drawings, however, are either not labeled at all or have not been clearly identified with any furniture suites. Some include suite numbers, but do not appear to clearly match photographs in the furniture catalogs. These drawings have been labeled as "unidentified."

    • C. B. Atkin Company [MC 324 Box 18, Folder 1]
    • Burlington Furniture - The Philpott Collection [MC 324 Box 19, Folder 1]
    • Furniture, Inc. [MC 324 Box 18, Folder 3]
    • [Imperial Furniture Company?] [MC 324 Box 18, Folder 4]
    • Pulaski Furniture Corporation [MC 324 Box 18, Folder 5]
    • Sears Sargent [MC 324 Box 18, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Ashley River Collection [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 1]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Bunkhouse (No. 6500) [MC 324 Box 18, Folder 6]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Candlelight Pine [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 1]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Carriage Mark [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Casual Oak (R-3300) (3 of 6) [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 3]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Casual Oak (R-3300) (4 of 6) [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 4]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Casual Oak (No. R-3300) (5 of 6) [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Casual Oak (6 of 6) [MC 324 Box 19, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Country Life (No. 7200) [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 5]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Country Line U.S.A. (No. 2400) [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 3]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Computer Desks [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 6]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - French Casual Oak [MC 324 Box 19, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - La Mancha Collection (No. 7500) [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 4]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Legend Oak (No. 4700) [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 7]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Rural Elegance (No. 2400) [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 5]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Savannah Inn [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 8]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Spanish Elegance (No. 9000) [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 6]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Spice Box [MC 324 Box 18, Folder 8]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Village Square (1 of 2) [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 9]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Village Square (2 of 2) [MC 324 Box 18, Folder 9]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation -Vive La (1 of 2) [MC 324 Box 18, Folder 10]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Vive La (2 of 2) [MC 324 Box 19, Folder 2]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Wedgefield Court (No. 5000) (1 of 3) [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 5]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Wedgefield Court (No. 5000) (2 of 3) [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 6]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Wedgefield Court (No. 5000) (3 of 3) [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 7]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - "Williams Current" [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 8]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Wonderful World of Plastic [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 15]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - No. D-200 [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 7]
    • [Williams Furniture Corporation?] - M200 [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 11]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - No. S110 [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 10]
    • [Lexington or Williams Furniture Corporation?] - Caribbean Casual [MC 324 Box 18, Folder 7]
    • [Williams Furniture Corporation?] -[Casual & Contemporary?] [MC 324 Box 18, Folder 11]
    • [Williams Furniture Corporation?] - [Country Life (No. 4700), Legend Oak (No. 1700), Casual Oak (No. 3300)?] [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 16]
    • [Williams Furniture Corporation?] - [Rural French (No. 2500)?] [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 9]
    • [Williams Furniture Corporation?] - Unidentified (No. 1600) [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 13]
    • [Williams Furniture Corporation?] - Unidentified (No. 1800) [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 10]
    • [Williams Furniture Corporation?] - Unidentified (Nos. 1600 and 7800) [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 11]
    • [Williams Furniture Corporation?] - Unidentified (No. 7800) [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 12]
    • [Williams Furniture Corporation?] - No. 8300 [MC 324 Box 17, Folder 13]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 15, Folder 8]
    • Williams Furniture Corporation - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 19, Folder 2]
    • [Williams Furniture Corporation?] - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 12]
    • [Williams Furniture Corporation?] - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 16, Folder 14]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 19, Folder 3]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 19, Folder 4]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 19, Folder 5]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 20, Folder 1]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 20, Folder 2]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 20, Folder 3]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 20, Folder 4]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 20, Folder 5]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 20, Folder 6]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 20, Folder 7]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 21, Folder 1]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 21, Folder 2]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 21, Folder 3]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 21, Folder 4]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 21, Folder 5]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 1]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 2]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 3]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 4]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 5]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 6]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 7]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 8]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 9]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 10]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 11]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 12]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 13]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 14]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 15]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 16]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 22, Folder 17]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 23, Folder 1]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 23, Folder 2]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 23, Folder 3]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 23, Folder 4]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 23, Folder 5]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 23, Folder 6]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 23, Folder 7]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 23, Folder 8]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 23, Folder 9]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 23, Folder 10]
    • Unidentified (Native American influence) [MC 324 Box 24, Folder 1]
    • Unidentified (pull sketches) [MC 324 Box 24, Folder 2]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 24, Folder 3]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 24, Folder 4]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 24, Folder 5]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 24, Folder 6]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 24, Folder 7]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 24, Folder 8]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 24, Folder 9]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 24, Folder 10]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 24, Folder 11]
    • Unidentified [MC 324 Box 24, Folder 12]
    • Bedroom suites - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 25, Folder 1]
    • #510-530 - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 25, Folder 2]
    • Chairs - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 25, Folder 3]
    • Beds and Dressers - No. 100-A - No. 116-P - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 25, Folder 4]
    • [Currahee Furniture Company?] - No. 16 [MC 324 Box 25, Folder 5]
    • Specials 10-14 - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 25, Folder 6]
    • Panel beds and dressers - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 25, Folder 7]
    • Beds and dressers - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 25, Folder 8]
    • Older drawings, numbered - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 25, Folder 9]
    • Older drawings, unnumbered - Inidentified [MC 324 Box 25, Folder 10]
    • Chairs and couches - Unidentified [MC 324 Box 25, Folder 11]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • Series 4:Books, 1918-1936 and undated


    2 linear feet, 2 archival boxes

    The books in this collection are The Charm of Sovereign Wood: Volume II (Memphis: Hardwood Manufacturers' Institute, 1918); Then-and Now in Furniture: Early American (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Waddell Manufacturing Co., 1928); The Berkey & Gay Style Book (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Berkey & Gay Furniture Co., 1929); A History of American Furniture (East Stroudsburg, Penn.: The Towse Publishing Company, 1936); and the Kensington Furniture (New York: Kensington Mfg. Company)

    • Then and Now in Furniture [MC 324 Box 26, Folder 1]
    • Kensington Furniture [MC 324 Box 26, Folder 2]
    • The Charm of Sovereign Wood, Volume II [MC 324 Box 26, Folder 3]
    • A History of American Furniture [MC 324 Box 26, Folder 4]
    • Berkey & Gay Style Book [MC 324 Box 27, Folder 1]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]