Reuben Cary (1845 – 1933) American Furniture Designer

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Reuben Cary was an American who designed and made furniture. He lived from 1845 to 1933.

Biography

Cary’s father moved to the Adirondacks area of New York State in the year 1845. After living in a camp at Beach’s Lake, which became known as Brandreth Park in 1851, the family moved to Indian Lake and Long Lake around 1850. Cary was a guide for the Brandreth family. In 1880, he was hired as the gamekeeper and caretaker of their estate, which had several large cottages and service buildings. In the 1900s, he was known as a carpenter and boat builder. In 1874, Brandreth asked Cary to make him 24 chairs with slatted backs, plain turned legs, and splint seats in a traditional style. Cary may have made some of the rustic furniture in the cottages at Brandreth Park.

Sources

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL

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