What is an Adirondack Chair?

If you have asked the question, "what is an Adirondack chair?" then this guide can give you the answer. One of the most popular outdoor chair styles is the Adirondack chair, which is also known as the Muskoka chair.

The beginning

Created by designer Thomas Lee in 1903, the chair took its name from the location of Lee's summer vacation in Westport, New York - near the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Intended as outdoor furniture for his summer home, Lee created the Adirondack chair with 11 pieces of wood cut from a single board. The back and seat were designed for comfort and set at a slant in order to better adapt to steep mountain inclines. A key feature was the wide armrests, which remain characteristic of today's Adirondack chairs.

From initial design to popular production

After testing initial versions on his family, Lee offered the final design to his carpenter friend, Harry Bunnell, who needed winter income. Bunnell recognized the chair's potential and filed for a patent in 1905 (apparently without requesting permission from Lee). Bunnell initially marketed the chair to summer residents at Westport and manufactured his Westport chair for the next 20 years, each signed and built from hemlock and available in green or medium dark brown. At some point, the Adirondack crossed the border into Canada and became known as the Muskoka chair, named for the Muskoka cottage area north of Toronto, Ontario.

The modern Adirondack

While maintaining its key characteristics, the modern Adirondack chair has evolved to feature a more rounded back and contoured seat. Many are built by craftsmen and retain the rustic wood structure of the original, but the Adirondack is also mass produced from plastic lumber or composite wood material. The style has also been adapted into other pieces of furniture, such as gliders and love seats.

Adirondacks continue to grow as popular outdoor furniture because of their extremely comfortable style and the flat armrests. They also make ideal mini tables for food and beverages.