AFHF Opens Interactive Wall Of Fame Exhibit In High Point

Furniture World News Desk on 4/10/2014

Market-goers using the interactive screens on the new American Furniture Hall of Fame Wall of Fame


As part of The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation’s mission to honor our leaders and preserve our history, The Innovations of Our Leaders: An Exhibit to Honor the Members of the Hall of Fame, was unveiled on Sunday, April 6, 2014. The Wall of Fame is located in the lobby of Furniture Plaza. The reception began at 4:00 p.m. and culminated with an unveiling of the new exhibit and champagne toast at 4:30 p.m.

“The exhibit includes photos and the innovations of the 94 members of the American Furniture Hall of Fame,” says George Cartledge III, chairman of the Foundation. “Touch screen kiosks offer biographies, videos and oral histories of the members of the Hall, focusing on the spirit of our leaders and their contributions to the American furniture industry.

“This new exhibit is a demonstration of the work that the Hall is doing to not only preserve our history but to undertake writing our history,” he says. “It is designed to give a nod to our past while making the information interesting, entertaining and easily accessible.”

Last year, the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation received a generous grant from the Furniture Foundation to develop a new Wall of Fame. The first Wall of Fame was installed in 2006. The new exhibit features vintage photos which depict retail stores; furniture manufacturing of casegoods, upholstery and bedding; and the supply chain.

Interactive screens enable visitors to access biographies of each of the Hall of Fame members and Industry Fellows. When available, oral histories and induction speeches will be included. Visitors also may view Tell Us Your Story videos, featuring colorful anecdotes about the furniture industry through the years.

“The exhibit is a mix of the old and the new with our proud past prominently displayed in a beautiful modern setting of glass and interactive technology,” says Bill Kimbrell, president of the Hall of Fame and CEO of Star Furniture. “It is a visible tribute to our past while also looking ahead to the future of the industry.”

The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is an international, industry-wide organization founded to honor those individuals whose outstanding achievements have contributed to the continued growth and development of the U.S. furniture industry, as well as to research, collect and preserve our cultural, economic and artistic history. Membership includes eligibility to vote for inductees into the American Furniture Hall of Fame, and the opportunity to help preserve the history and heritage of the industry. The organization is based in High Point, North Carolina at 202 Neal Place, and can be reached at 336.882.5900.