The chairs in the school library are the handmade originals from E. A. Clore Sons, Inc. in Madison, VA. They came to Jackson-Via School when it was first occupied in 1970.
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After more than 40 years of wiggles and general wear and tear, some of the chairs needed their seats repaired or replaced. In the fall of 2011, Malcolm Jarrell and Nancy Lambert, two retired Jackson-Via School staff members, took on the project of restoring them. Carol Zimorski, parent of Sarah and Jill, two former students at Jackson-Via, joined the team.
The old seats were removed with a sharp hobby knife. Fiber rush, a tightly twisted kraft paper cord, and cut tacks were used in the front two corners to begin the replacement process.
The new seats were woven to match the original design. The steps are rhythmic and organized:
When facing the chair – -
Left front: Over and under, over and under
Right front: Under and over, under and over
Right back: Over and under, over and under
Left back: Under and over, under and over
Doing this many times, plus weaving a figure 8 pattern in the middle, replaced the worn-out seats with new ones that are nice and tight.
After painting the new seats with a protective coating, the chairs are ready to return to the library where students may sit during the day and the staff may sit during meetings.
May the chairs maintain their sentimental value and provide comfort for Jackson-Via students and staff for generations to come.
Mr. Jarrell, Mrs. Lambert & Mrs. Zimorski
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- Student chair in need of repair
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- Old fiber rush removed
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- First stages of weaving completed
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- Finished student chair
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- Underneath side of finished student chair
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- Malcolm teaching Carol
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- Carol taking on her first chair
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- Concentration helps!
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- Nancy doing her thing
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- This is fun!
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- Some of the finished ones
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- More finished ones
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- Getting ready for the outside work
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- Are the chairs multiplying in number?
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- Still in process
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- Malcolm pours the vanish
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- Carol paints with the varnish
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- Malcolm starting another one
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- Pausing for a picture
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- Shows staining of the varnish
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- Distance shot showing 40 chairs in process
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- Finished chairs
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- Back inside fitting cardboard for more firmness
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- Shows condition of some rockers previous to repair
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- Some rockers were in this condition!
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- Rockers have the same pattern as the student chairs
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- Rockers that were repaired instead of having the bottoms replaced
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- Finished rocker
