What is the history of Henkel-Harris?

The history of Henkel-Harris starts in Winchester, Virginia. There, married couple Carroll and Mary Henkel and their friend John Harris signed a lease for a building and began handcrafting furniture in 1946. The trio worked together until Harris departed the business in 1956. Carroll spent time on the road, introducing their wood furnishings to retailers, while Mary oversaw the growing operations. Within a few years, Henkel-Harris had outgrown its manufacturing facilities. This led the Henkels to build a new facility in Winchester. The work was completed in 1963. The furniture maker continued to enjoy success until Carroll died in 1969. Mary, now the sole owner, expanded the business into the European market. To attract new employees, she offered to pay college tuition for those who wished to attend night school. Soon, she had a team of more than 90 carpenters and finishers working to meet the ever-increasing demand for Henkel-Harris pieces. Within two decades, the company had more than 260 employees. Following Mary's death, the Gum family assumed ownership of Henkel-Harris but kept the manufacturing processes that had made Henkel-Harris a trusted name in the American furniture market intact. Shop a variety of Henkel-Harris furniture on 1stDibs.