History

The Furniture Collection covers the period 1680 to 1950, and includes many labeled examples by New York cabinetmakers. Among those New York City cabinetmakers represented are: Thomas Burling, Michael Allison, Richard Allison, Duncan Phyfe, Joseph Meeks and Sons, John and Joseph W. Meeks, Alexander Roux, George Platt, George Hunzinger, Leon Marcotte, and others. Upstate cabinetmakers represented in the collections are from localities across New York State encompassing every region. Furniture by Roycroft, Gustav Stickley, and L. and J. G. Stickley represents the Arts and Crafts Movement. The Shaker furniture collection which was donated to the Museum by the Shakers themselves comes largely from the Watervliet, Mt. Lebanon, and Groveland Communities.