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Archival Collections ➔ Archival Collection #106 - West Michigan Furniture Co.
Identifier:
1999.13.1Description:
Archival Collection #106 - West Michigan Furniture Co. consists of trade literature including catalogs; folders, tear sheets and photographs for individual suites and products; price lists; and miscellaneous other printed materials. This collection provides information about the products of a significant local furniture manufacturer. West Michigan Furniture Co. manufactured bedroom furniture and later contract motel and office furniture in Holland, Michigan from 1889 until it was purchased by Mueller Furniture Co. of Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1984.A full listing of the contents of this collection can be found in the finding aid that is attached to the media section of this catalog entry.
Date:
1925 – 1977Materials:
PaperCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift Of The Holland Historical TrustRelated Entities:
West Michigan Furniture Company (creator)Holland, Michigan.
SEE ALSO Mueller Furniture Co.
COMPANY HISTORY
1889: Company founded.
1904: Company purchases a controlling interest in Engel Land & Lumber Co. of Lousiana, to attain lumber at reduced cost.
1976: Company is purchased by Louis Padnos Iron and Metal Co. of Grand Rapids and continues to operate under its own name.
1984: Assets puchased by and dissolved into Mueller Furniture Co. of Grand Rapids.
PERSONNEL
West Michigan Furniture was founded by D. Kruidenier, Frederick Metz, and George P. Hummer, who later became mayor of Holland, Michigan. After his death in 1920, Hummer's son-in-law, Charles Kirchen purchased Hummer's interest in the company. Wayne R. Fitzgerald served as its president and general manager from 1955-1976, when the company was purchased from the Kirchen family by Padnos. Mitchell W. Padnos became executive vice-president, and Doug Padnos the national sales manager.
PRODUCTS
West Michigan Furniture Co.'s first products were beds and bedroom suites in maple, ash, and oak. By the 1920s it had moved into production of phonograph cabinets, and bedroom and dining suites in 18th Century period revival styles. West Michigan made Colonial Revival case pieces to complement beds by Kindel Bed Co. in the 1920s. In the late 1920s and early 1930s it produced bedroom suites in a "waterfall" art Deco style.
During World War II the company made bunk beds and other items for the Army. After the war it made pieces in Modern bedroom groups and storage systems, using solids and exotic veneers, lacquer finishes, and cane and metal accents. From the 1950s to the early 1970s, West Michigan executed numerous contracts for colleges, hostipials and motel chains.
OTHER SOURCES
The business records of West Michigan Furniture Co. now constitute an archival collection, owned by the Holland Historical Trust, and maintained by the Joint Archives of Holland, on the campus of Hope College. They span the company's entire history, and include an extensive run of catalogs beginning in 1908.
MARKS AND LABELS
West Michigan's logo featured a silhouette of a woman in Dutch folk costume carrying a basket, in front of a Dutch windmill. These are partially surrounded by a circle. Beneath the windmill is the name of the company, and the motto, "Style - Stability - Service - Satisfaction." After 1963 the trademark was abstracted to just the turning blades of the windmill. Holland Historical Trust (donor)
