1960Gravely Furniture launchesits first grandmotherclock, a shorter version of the grandfather clock.The clock was known as No. 122, the “LadyNorfolk.” Priced at under$200, the clock becomesan overnight success.

1960J. Clyde Hooker, Jr., thefounder’s son, becomespresident of Hooker Furniture. He remainspresident until 2000.

1960Bassett built the world’s largest chair forCurtis Brothers Furniture Company inWashington, D.C.

1965Stanley Furniture makes its first acquisition,The Sandhill FurnitureCompany, in West End,N.C., reputed to be the world’s largest manufacturer of beds.

1967Stanley Furniturelaunches its first nationaladvertising campaign.

1968Hooker Furniture’s netsales total $9.7 million.

1969Stanley Furniture mergeswith Mead Corporation, a relationship that lastsuntil 1979.

1970Gravely Furniture offersmore than 35 differentstyles of grandfather andgrandmother clocks.

1971Bassett’s net sales reach$144 million

1972With a series of acquisitions during the1960s and early ’70s, Bassett has a total of 31plants nationwide.

1974American of Martinsvillehas $62 million in sales.

1975Gravely Furniture has$13.1 million in sales.

1972Bassett begins its prime-time television campaign.

1979American becomes thelargest supplier ofhotel/motel casegoods in the world.

1981A.C. Furniture Company, Inc., one ofthe country’s largest contract manufacturers ofseating, is incorporated.

1981Shenandoah Furniturestarted with just 12 employees doing contract work for localfurniture companies.These contracts led to amajor retail contract with Bloomingdales. As demand grew, thecompany expanded andShenandoah Furniturerelinquished its contractwork and became a stand alone furnituremanufacturer.

1984Bassett implements itsGallery Program to aid dealers in presentingfurniture to the consumeras it would appear intheir home.

1984To commemorate Stanley’s 60th anniversary,the company introducedthe Stoneleigh MahoganyCollection: 18th Centuryfurniture inspired by the original furnishing ofthe home of Stanley’sfounder, Thomas B. Stanley.

1985Bassett Contract Furnishings is establishedto target the hotel andmotel industry.

1985Pulaski Furniture buys Gravely Furnitureand renames it Ridgeway Clocks.

1986Bassett produces recliners from its newBassett Motion Division.

1986American of Martinsvillewas acquired by LADDFurniture, Inc., the third largest furnituremanufacturer in theUnited States at the time.

1987Hooker Furniture purchases a tobacco warehouse in HenryCounty, and started a separate plywood manufacturing facilitythat could produce mostof the company’s three-ply plywood for internal use.

1 9 6 0 s to 1 9 8 0 s

J. C. Hooker (left), founder and first presidentof Hooker Furniture, receives a gold watch in appreciation of 36 years of leadership fromA.F. Hooker on December 23,1960. J. ClydeHooker, Jr., who serves as president of thecompany from 1960 to 2000, looks on.

Bassett built the world’slargest chair forCurtis BrothersFurniture Company inWashington, D.C.

Stanley’s High Point furniture showroom, circa 1960. The company also had permanentexhibits in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles,San Francisco, Dallas, Seattle and Stanleytown.

A 1967, two-page ad that appeared in Better Homes & Gardens. According to the adcopy, if you don’t see a piece of furniturehere that you like, you can write to Stanleyand include $1.00 and they will send you information on the 2,078 pieces they make.

To commemorate Stanley’s 60th anniversary, the company introducedthe Stoneleigh Mahogany Collection: 18th Century furniture inspired by the original furnishing of the home of Stanley’sfounder, Thomas B. Stanley.

Clay Earles of MartinsvilleSpeedway presents stock car driver Cale Yarboroughwith a Gravely Furnitureclock in the 1970s. It was along-standing tradition thatrace winners would receive a locally made clock.

Furnishing a Nation: The story of furniture making in Martinsville-Henry County