Windsor Chair History

The craft of Windsor Chairmaking was developed during the 18th century in England.  It is said that Windsor Chairs appeared in America in 1726 when Patrick Gordon was appointed lieutenant governor in Philadelphia. He brought his household furnishings from London which included five Windsor Chairs.  The Colonists were intrigued by these and started copying them.

Responding to customers' taste and their reaction to English fashion, chairmakers developed many varieties of the Windsor form.  Windsor Chair styles include the Philadelphia High Back, the Boston Fan Back, the Nantucket Fan Back and the Low Back. Formally introduced in Philadelphia, the Low Back arm chair is the only Windsor style without any bent parts.  The Continuous Arm style was developed in the American colonies.