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Furniture Industry Archives ➔ Booklet, The Furniture Career of Grand Rapids, A Brief Story Compiled by the City's Furniture Interests
Identifier:
1984.33.10aDescription:
23 pages, black and white illustrations and photographic images. Contains a brief history on the local furniture industry in Grand Rapids and how the city has reached success. Includes a summary of the Grand Rapids Furniture Museum with images of the interior.Date:
1938 – 1945Materials:
PaperCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift of Donald B. AyersRelated Entities:
Furniture Makers Association of Grand Rapids (creator) Donald B. Ayars (donor) Grand Rapids Furniture Museum (is related to)The Grand Rapids Furniture Museum opened in 1936 and was located at 427 Fulton Street. In 1959, the Museum closed and its collection was transferred to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Furniture Manufacturers Association of Grand Rapids (FMA) (creator)
Alternate names: Grand Rapids Furniture Manufacturers Association (FMA)
The formation of several furniture manufacturer organizations have existed throughout the span of Grand Rapids furniture industry. A prominent and long-standing name belonged to The Furniture Manufacturers Association of Grand Rapids which was legally recognized as a non-profit organization on November 25, 1911. Also known as the Grand Rapids Furniture Manufacturers Association (FMA), the FMA was active in protecting the "Grand Rapids Made" trademark. The red triangular logo was applied to every piece of furniture made by every FMA member company between 1899 to about 1913. Several Grand Rapids firms incorporated the "Grand Rapids Made" triangle into their corporate trademarks. In 1913 the FMA won several lawsuits against stores fraudulently advertising Grand Rapids furniture.
The Furniture Manufacturers Association of Grand Rapids later changed its name to Grand Rapids Area Furniture Manufacturers Association in 1987 to encompass the broad geographical area it represents. Donald B. Ayers (donor)
