The Chestnut Chair

Contributed by Longfellow National Historic Site

Item 15476 enlarge zoom add to album

This chair, also called "The Children's Chair," was designed by Longfellow's nephew, William Pitt Preble Longfellow and made from the wood of "The Spreading Chestnut Tree" referred to by Longfellow in his poem "The Village Blacksmith." When Brattle Street was widened the tree that stood in front of the home and shop of Dexter Pratt, the local smith, was cut down. The children of Cambridge paid to have this chair made from its wood, and presented it to Longfellow on his 72nd birthday along with a special book containing each of their names. As an expression of gratitude, Longfellow composed the poem "From My Armchair."

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Title: The Chestnut Chair
Creator: Hartwell, H. Edgar
Creation Date: circa 1876
Subject Date: circa 1876
Town: Cambridge
County: Middlesex
State: MA
Media: wood
Dimensions (cm): 604 x 692 x 589
Local Code: LONG 4469
Object Type: Physical Object

For more information about this item, contact:

Longfellow National Historic Site
105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 876-4491
http://www.nps.gov/long/

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