by HIGH POINT — Home News Now recently visited the just-completed headquarters for the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame at 311 S. Hamilton St. in downtown High Point. The Hall of Fame Foundation first purchased the former showroom building in 2019 and began renovations in early 2022.
That process has evolved into what the group hopes will be not only a place to preserve the history of the industry and the people who have made it great, but also a place for the industry, businesses and the community to gather for special events and meetings. Some 31 of these are planned between now and late summer, many of them sight unseen, notes Karen McNeill Pond, chief executive officer and president of the Hall of Fame board of directors.
During its visit, Home News Now captured some images of the facility which we are showing here to offer viewers a first-time look inside. We hope it encourages them to visit and use the facility in the future as it will remain a major part of the furniture landscape in High Point for many years to come.
This is the outside of the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame building at 311 S. Hamilton St. in downtown High Point.
This is a view of the Bill and Carolyn Hicks Celebration Hall where the Loloi Dynamic Story Wall featuring dozens of interlaced LED video screens will flash larger-than-life images of the people and products that have made the industry what it is today.
The International Market Centers Imagination Theater offers seating for 30 provided by Man Wah.
The Samson Holding Gallery of Innovation showcases a product display area and video screen demonstration with some of the most significant product innovations of our time.
The Furniture of America Leader’s Bar offers a place where visitors can relax and have breakfast or lunch or a cup of coffee or cocktail later in the day.
The Surya Presentation Staircase leads from the first to the second floor of the building. The cloth tarps hanging over the staircase can be lit up in different colors during special events.
The Hall of Fame Gallery pays homage to the many industry leaders that have been inducted into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame over the years.
This touch-screen display lets individuals learn more about inductees into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame.
This display inside the Hall of Fame Gallery recognizes emerging leaders who have received the Paul Broyhill Future Leader nominations as well as participants in the Home Furnishings Leadership Institute.
This furniture display and historical company timeline and history was provided by upholstery manufacturer Thayer Coggin and is an example of the revolving exhibits that can be seen at the Hall of Fame building.
This pottery display inside the Discovery Center features works of art that in some cases are more than 100 years old. It was provided by David Gebhart, chief executive officer of Global Views.
The Stephen Knight Pond Library showcases a table and chair set donated by Stickley Furniture.
The O. William and Candace Fenn Jr. Leader’s Boardroom includes a conference room table donated by The Phillips Collection and chairs donated by Davis Furniture in High Point.
This display of product on the second floor of the building represents trends identified by Fashion Snoops.
This area also on the second floor showcases historical product including a turn-of-the-century desk from Stickley, a desk chair by Eanes and a lounge chair with a woven frame from Palecek.
The Karen and Stephen Pond Hub features furniture donated by Four Hands. It is a place for emerging leaders to meet and network.
Opposite the historical product display is an area celebrating processes involved in making furniture along with the raw materials used in finished product. It shows an old rug loom, a deconstructed mattress from Tempur Sealy and a deconstructed chair from Norwalk. On the end, visitors can see how a curved mirror from Global Views is made.
This is a view from the second floor overlooking the Grand Atrium. As shown in the first image in this slideshow, visitors outside the building can see a video screen display in this part of the facility.
This lounge area on the second floor of the building features seating provided by Norwalk Furniture.
