WELCOME!
About Whittier Wood Furniture
We invite you to discover Whittier Wood Furniture. We’re incredibly proud to offer heritage-quality all wood handcrafted furniture. For three generations our family has worked side by side to maintain the integrity of quality and honesty that began in the 1920s with our grandfather, Leon Whittier. Our manufacturing business has evolved over the decades but the commitment to our customers and making a quality product remains steadfast. You’ll be delighted in everything from our attention to detail, our commitment to sustainability and breadth of offerings. So please, discover what we have to offer to transform your house into a well-furnished home.
HISTORY
From 1867 to Today
Introduction
Whittier Wood Furniture is a family-owned and operated business. For more than 150 years the family has worked with wood. Our values—honesty, integrity, and passion—are evident in every piece of furniture we create.
1867
Charles Whittier was hired by Uncle Ed Brackett to manage E.L. Brackett Lumber and Coal Company in Farmington, Minnesota. His son, Leon, went to work at Brackett’s and eventually became manager of its lumberyard.
1921
Early on, Leon showed his entrepreneurial side and used a rear lumber shed to build hayracks, screen doors, and footstools.
1927–1932
Brackett’s was sold and Leon moved back to Farmington, Minnesota, and bought a warehouse where he could build ready-to-assemble oak tables, wood cabinets, and desks for Macy’s and other large department stores.
1938
Because most of his customers were based in the East, Leon moved his family and opened a second manufacturing company in New Jersey. His sons were old enough to help with the family business after school and on weekends. Leon taught Gordon and Bob important lessons on how to rip a piece of lumber, balance the books and most importantly treat people with respect, honor and dignity.
1946-1953
Leon’s sons, Gordon and Bob, moved to Redmond, Oregon, to open Whittier Moldings to produce pine moldings for the Woodcraft plants. Leon sold his New Jersey plant to move to Redmond.
1975
Gordon Whittier bought a wood component manufacturing facility in Eugene, Oregon. Gordon hired his son-in-law, Evert, to grow the Whittier Wood Products business.
1977
The company began producing ready-to-finish furniture kits, which Evert sold to home centers, discount chains, and unfinished furniture stores.
1980
Gordon’s son, Scott, joined the company and began to add new collections and furniture.
2006
Responding to a changing market, Whittier opened its own factory in Vietnam while expanding its assembly and finishing capacity at the Eugene factory. These changes positioned Whittier for a strong future.
2007
A new Whittier Wood Furniture brand for a finished furniture product line was launched. The new products were for traditional furniture stores and for the solid wood stores, which offer a mix of finished furniture and custom finished, solid wood furniture.
2017
Anna (Whittier) Tower, Scott’s daughter, joined the company demonstrating their continuing commitment to the family's guiding principles.
2020
The newest family member to join Whittier, Daniel Marshall, expands the involvement and participation of the third generation.
2023
As the Whittier family forges ahead, the future looks brighter with new plans, new furniture, and our traditions to build upon.
