Pedigreed furniture

American Forests, Spring, 2005

Amana Furniture has turned its Old World craftsmanship to historic wood. In a partnership with AMERICAN FORESTS, the Iowa-based fine furniture company has begun a limited-edition furniture collection inspired by historic period designs and inlaid with wood from trees that are connected to historic events or famous people (www.historicwood.org).

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

"The nearly 200-year-old historic wood inlays add an element of immediate antiquity to these pieces," says Amana head craftsman Dan Ray.

The first three pieces are an Alamo hall chair, a Thoreau writing desk, and a Robert E. Lee school desk.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

When weather or age claims a historic tree or when one needs a limb removed, AMERICAN FORESTS works to secure the wood. The wood is stabilized to keep it from deteriorating, then dried and stacked. Reputable manufacturers then incorporate the historic wood into products. Amana will fund the planting of 100 trees for each piece of furniture sold from the collection.