Wednesday, February 6, 2002

Southern furniture exhibition comes to Atlanta History Center

More than 50 pieces of colonial Williamsburg's finest examples of early Southern furniture will be on display in "Furniture of the American South: 1680-1830," part of the 2002 schedule of traveling exhibitions at the Atlanta History Center.

The first major exhibition of Southern furniture in 50 years, the collection highlights the taste, technology and cultural diversity of furniture from the South's three principal regions the Chesapeake, the Low Country and the Backcountry. Opening March 16, the exhibition will be housed in the Atlanta History Center's Nicholson Gallery, the premiere venue for the entire exhibition, until Aug. 11.

For years, antiques collectors believed that furniture original to the early South simply didn't exist. Contrary to popular belief, artisans working in the early South produced a remarkable range of furniture forms from the late 17th century through the antebellum period. The exhibition at the Atlanta History Center will feature an array of chairs, chests, tables and case furniture made by Southern joiners, turners and cabinetmakers.

Over the past few decades, there has been a revival of interest in Southern furniture and antiques, with the collection at colonial Williamsburg showcasing the nation's largest assemblage. The Southern culture of the period was influenced by Welsh, Irish, Swiss, German, French and Caribbean immigrants and their diverse cultures. Two centuries later, it is still evident that the furniture made by this varied population mirrors the original influence of British Isle and European cultures. Now, for the first time, the exhibition will be available for viewing in parts of the "new South."

Rebecca Moore, curator of decorative arts at the Atlanta History Center, believes that the revival of antiques and collectibles makes the exhibition's educational and historical importance all the more appealing. "The Atlanta History Center's display of 'Furniture of the American South' brings the unique pieces in this collection to one of the more centrally located Southern cities," she said. "It is an opportunity to see Southern pieces in a Southern metropolis and an exhibition many people will find appealing from dedicated antiques collectors to creative homemakers."

Robert M. Balentine, chairman and chief executive officer of Balentine & Company, presenting sponsor of the exhibition along with parent company Wilmington Trust, agrees that Atlanta is a prime venue for "Furniture of the American South."

"Balentine & Company and Wilmington Trust are proud to assist the Atlanta History Center in bringing this traveling exhibition to the city of Atlanta," said Balentine. "Having founded Balentine & Company in Atlanta, we're pleased to see early Southern style and culture on display and support bringing quality cultural collections to our city's residents and guests."

Varying in taste, technology and cultural influence, the furniture in this exhibition stems from three primary regions of the early American South:

Cheaspeake. The Chesapeake region includes eastern Maryland and Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Wealth and craftsmanship found a home in the region when English, Scottish and Irish craftsmen settled in growing agricultural marketplace cities such as Annapolis, Williamsburg and Norfolk. Artifacts from this Southern region reflect a "neat and plain" style seen in Britain, but later influenced by Northern American counterparts.

The Low Country. Known today as coastal North and South Carolina, the Low County region attracted various immigrants Dutch, French Huguenots, Swiss, Germans, welsh, Scots, Scot-Irish and Sephardic Jews from Spain and Portugal all settled in the area and shared new cultural ideas. Cities like Charleston benefited from direct trade with the West Indies, where tropical hardwoods like mahogany were found. Strong, structured neoclassical furniture forms define this region.

The Backcountry. Western Maryland and Virginia, typical Backcountry regions, benefited from the influx of settlers from Germany, Switzerland, France, England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, as well as Northerners from states such as Pennsylvania. In the Backcountry, many furniture forms illustrate the "Old World" conservatism of social traditions, while others demonstrate the creativity and fashions of the "New World."

Founded 75 years ago as the Atlanta Historical Society, the Atlanta History Center includes the Atlanta History Museum featuring permanent and traveling exhibitions, the 1845 Tullie Smith Farm, the 1928 Swan House mansion, a research library/archives and 33 acres of gardens. The center is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 5:30 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students over 18 and seniors, $7 for youths 4-17 and free for children 3 and under.

The Atlanta History Center is in the heart of the Buckhead district at 130 West Paces Ferry road, just 2.6 miles east of I-75. For more information, call 404-814-4000 or visit the center's Web site at www.AtlantaHistoryCenter.com.

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