My Grandma Florence always hated strongly disliked this chair. As long as I can remember it was in the corner of Grandpa and Grandma’s living room. Pretty much shoved to a place of no use. It was a “gift” from my grandfather’s boss’ wife. Emma Myrtie decided that Grandma needed it for her home. This was back in the 1930s when my mother and aunt were still children. Originally the chair had the usual 1930s upholstery of a red, almost carpet-like, material. Grandma, in the late 60s had a gold slip-cover made for it, but that did not help, she still kept it in the corner. Oh, and the springs had sprung, so it was not that great to sit on. But I found it a great place for me to sit, since no one else would sit there. When Grandma moved from the family home in Detroit to her apartment near my aunt, the chair was not going to make the trip. I had just gotten my first apartment after college, and employment, and asked for the chair.

A number of years after my saving of the chair, my wife and I had it reupholstered (and the springs re-tied!) putting it into its current state.

When I asked my mother why Grandma kept the chair, even though she disliked it, a story ensued.

Emma Myrtie was a very headstrong wife of Grandpa’s boss. It seems Grandpa and his boss got along quite well. To the point that the families shared vacation time at the Myrtie’s cottage on Detroit Beach, Lake Erie. Grandma was mad because she did not want Emma’s cast off furniture, but had to keep it because the Myrties were in my grandparents’ home quite often. If Emma was not happy it could jeopardize the use of the Detroit Beach cottage, not to mention, Grandpa’s relationship with his boss.

In the long run, I won. I always liked the chair and after we had it reupholstered and the springs fixed, it is quite comfortable to sit on.

#heirlooms