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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