The P & P Chair Company in Asheboro, North Carolina announced last week that they will be closing their factory after 82 years in business. The P & P Chair Company was founded by W. C. Page Sr. and a friend, Arthur E. Presnell in 1926. P & P made it’s claim to fame in the early 1960’s with the creation of the authentic “Kennedy Rocker”. John F. Kennedy chose the chair by recommendation of his physician, Dr. Janet Travell. The chair was upholstered by the White House upholsterer Larry Arata.
Chairs stacked and curing at the P & P Chair Co. factory in Asheboro, North Carolina (Image: File Photo/News & Record)
Kennedy in his P & P Chair Company Authentic "Carolina Rocker" (from the LIFE archive)
I was shocked to hear this news because I grew up with this chair at my parent’s home. My parents had this chair created and upholstered for them directly from Larry Arata and his wife. Thanks Mom for sending me the pictures of my family’s Kennedy Rocker below.
The Hart Family's "Kennedy Rocker" from the P & P Chair Company with Upholstry by Larry Arata
Plaque on the back of my family's rocker
Larry Arata's custom tag on the back of the chair
Larry Arata's card underneath the arm
The Invisible Agent 