The Kennedy Rocking Chair by P & P Chair Company
The P &P Chair Company here in Asheboro, North Carolina has a long history of outstanding craftsmanship and is best known as being the maker of the original Kennedy Rocker. They continue to offer this outstanding rocking chair, along with the Porch Rocker, built for comfort and longevity. We believe you will find no other rocker comparable in quality or value.
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The Kennedy Rocker is one of our most historical offering. Originally made only one hour down the road from our Concord, NC office by the P & P Chair Company of Ashboro, this hand-crafted solid red oak rocker was originally called the “Carolina Rocker” and registered with the U.S. Patent Office due to its unique design. The P & P Chair company has been designing this rocking chair with little change in technology, process, or materials.
The P & P Chair Co. of today is still old-fashioned like its famed rocking chairs. Its office and plant haven’t changed a great deal since 1926, and the firm is still a family-run operation. The founder, W. C. Page Sr., died in 1980 at the age of 91. He was active in the business until shortly before his death. The company continues to be operated by his son and grandson, both W.C. Pages.
President Kennedy first acquired the rocking chair in 1955 when he was a United States Senator from Massachusetts. His physician, Dr. Janet Travell, had one of these P & P Chair Co. rockers in her New York office. When he came to her for treatment of his back ailment, he found the rocking chair exceedingly comfortable and asked her to get him one. Dr. Travell first bought rockers from the company in 1953. In her letters requesting chairs for her patients, she called the rockers the Carolina Rocker. This name was adopted by the company and is now a registered trademark. Each rocker is stamped under the arm with this trademark – Carolina Rocker. This rocker then became popularly known as the “Kennedy Rocker.” |
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What is the Carolina Rocker like, and what makes it different from other rockers? It has a large high cane back and is made from selected Oak. It has a detachable cane seat of the herringbone weave. The seat is 22 ½ inches wide and 17 inches deep, and the overall height of the chair is 43 inches. Dr. Travell stated she liked the chair because of the bent back post, which makes the cane back fit the contour of a person’s back. She also liked the Carolina Rocker because the armrests are not too high and the detachable seat gives more support. The cane seat and back give firm support without being rigid. Also the height of the seat is such that it creates no undue pressure on the user’s legs. The rocking motion is an aid to circulation and a reliever of tension.When President Kennedy moved from the Senate Office building into the white house his Carolina rocker went with him. Pictures appeared showing him in the Oval Office comfortably rocking, while discussing world affairs. Dr. Travell, who had been appointed White house physician, told reporters how fond JFK was of the high-backed rocker in his office. She said that the rockers were made in North Carolina, but she didn’t think it would be proper to give the name of the company. However, she said she would be glad to tell all to anyone who wrote her for information. As a result of this statement, the White House was deluged with mail and Dr. Travell revealed to the public that the rocker was made by P& P Chair Co. of Asheboro, North Carolina.
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The response from the media and the public was unbelievable. The phone at the company rang constantly. Newspapers, individuals, retail stores, national politicians etcetera, all called requesting information about or wishing to purchase the Kennedy Rocker. CBS arrived and filmed a spot interview with W. C. Page Jr. that aired on the national evening news. Life Magazine sent a crew to shoot pictures, which appeared, along with a write up, in their publication of April 7, 1961. Other national publications: Time, Newsweek, Popular Science, etcetera, had features about the rocking chair. The volume of mail was tremendous. The majority of this came from individuals asking, “Where can I get a Kennedy Rocker?” At the request of the White House, Carolina Rockers were shipped to several hotels throughout the nation and placed in their Presidential Suites. This eliminated the burden on the White house staff of transporting the President’s Carolina Rocker as he traveled from place to place. President Johnson used a Carolina Rocker in the White House and also had several sent to his home in Texas. |
Now known as the Kennedy Rocker, the secret to its comfort and longevity has not changed. The Red Oak components of the rocker are shaped and steam bent, assembled while still green to a tried and true design. The essence of this chair's comfort lies in the steam-bent curve of the back post, which sweep in to give firm support to the sitter's back. The original Kennedy Rocker fully supports the sitter and is guaranteed to give a perfect, restful experience. The tightly woven cane seat and cane back offer just enough spring to support and caress the sitter. The detachable cane seat is 22 1/2" wide and 17" deep, and the bent back post makes the cane back fit the contour of the sitter's back. Although these rocking chairs are now made at P & P's plant in Indonesia, they are still finished in Asheboro and are as much a part of their heritage as ever.
At Carolina Rustica, we feel especially proud to offer this rocker as it originated right here in the Piedmont. The Kennedy Rocker has a rich heritage, and it is truly comfortable and long-lasting. We hope this unique oak rocker will become part of your heritage, too.
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