American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame
High Point, NC
These are heady times for the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame as it nears opening its new home
The American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc., is an industry-wide organization founded over 30 years ago to preserve its history of the home furnishings industry, to celebrate exceptional individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the U.S. home furnishings industry, and to create a new class of innovation and leadership. In October 2021, it will welcome its newest class of honorees, and in 2022, it expects to open the doors to its new, permanent home at 311 S. Hamilton St. in the heart of High Point’s market district.
At next month’s High Point Market, CEO Karen McNeill will be spending three days with the team from Roto, which is responsible for designing the facility and its exhibits, to help them gain a better understanding of our industry and how each of the Hall’s four tenets play into it.
“We’re still in the concept stage for the exhibits. You have to have organizing themes and we have four,” McNeill said. “The first is the industry: to explain the industry and the scope. The second theme is people: everything from inducted members to people behind the scenes. Third is the process: how do we go through design, manufacturing, logistics, etc. The fourth theme is products: this will be oriented toward design side, color, style trends.”
McNeill said when finished, the facility will serve as a place for consumers to learn about the industry, a place for newcomers to absorb information (with a lot of information available on demand online).
“The first [aspect] is for the industry. It will be focused on creating educational and training programs for the industry. There will be gathering places for seminars and other training,” she said. “The concept is to create pride in our industry and help consumers build a better appreciation for home furnishings.”
Additionally, it will provide a place for inter-industry gatherings and celebrations. “It’s going to be a gathering place for the industry. Right now, there is no gathering place. You can go to a showroom but there is no place to gather,” McNeill said. “Our Celebration Hall will be big enough for 400 people or a seated dinner for 150.”
To learn more about American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, please visit their website.
