P & P Chair Company

Chair Makers since 1926

Asheboro, North Carolina

History of the P & P Chair Company

The history of the P. & P. Chair Co., manufacturers of the authentic Kennedy Presidential Rocker, had its beginning in the trenches of France during World War I.  At that time, the founder of the company, W. C. Page Sr., and a friend, Arthur E. Presnell, began thinking and dreaming about going into the chair business on their own.  Their dream came true August 15, 1926 when the whistle blew at the newly established factory for the first time.  Arthur Presnell stayed with the firm until 1940, at which time his interest was purchased by W. C. Page Sr.  The P. & P. Chair Co. of today is still old fashioned like its famed rocking chair.  Its office and plant haven't changed a great deal since 1926, and the firm is more a homey and family-like operation than a highly industrialized one.  The founder, W. C. Page Sr., died August 5, 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, W. C. Page Jr. and his grandson, W. C. Page III.

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 is also popularly known as the "Kennedy Rocker."

What is the Carolina Rocker like, and what makes it different from other rocking chairs?  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 1/2 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 came back fit, the contour of a person's back.  She also likes 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 the President 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.

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?"  Songs, poems, pictures, all came from the people - many praising this small family business for not yielding to the temptation of mass production, but rather sticking to the old fashioned personal touch in making a truly comfortable rocking chair.

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.

The rocking chair has found its way into the homes of distinguished personages.  President Kennedy presented one of these rockers to the President of Mexico.  Governor Terry Sanford of North Carolina sent one to each of the Governors of the fifty states.  His Royal Highness Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud had several dozen of these rockers flown to his residence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  Numerous hotels across the country ordered these rockers for their Presidential suites.  They have been in the "movies" and used in television commercials from time to time.  The popularity of the chair continues and seems to have become somewhat of a symbol of North Carolina.  Many state officials and others present these rockers to their distinguished guests.  However, the greatest demand is still from the "plain folks."  To sit on the front porch in the cool of the summer evening in a good rocking chair - or - beside the fireplace on a chilly winter's night - these are the best places of all for the Carolina Rocker.

The P. & P. Chair Co. Carolina Rocker used by President Kennedy in the White House is now on permanent display at the Kennedy Memorial in Boston, Massachusetts.