Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1979.20 |
Object Name |
Sideboard |
Date |
c.1870 |
Features |
Rectangular, sideboard, with carved backboard. Whole artifact is made of a lightly stained ash, with accents and appliques made of a darker wood. Backboard includes a plant/vase medallion. Two shelves sit against the backboard, held up by a bracket each. Two side by side drawers sit directly under the counter top of the sideboard. Drawers have dark wood appliques, with brass and wood hanging pulls. Two cabinet doors under the drawers, a keyhole in the proper left door. Inner compartment has a single shelf. A hook is attached to the shelf which keeps the proper right door closed. Wheels are present on the block feet of the artifact. |
Object Story |
Sideboard was made to order by Gibbard Furniture, to specifically fit a niche in the kitchen of Joseph (1821-1899) and Elizabeth VanAlstyne (nee Fennell) (1824-1894). Joseph was born to James VanAlstyne and Anna Loucks, one of at least nine children. He married Elizabeth Fennell, who was born in Sussex, England to Abel Fennell and Jane Hubbell. The marriage took place in 1844, in Lennox and Addington County. The side board remained with the VanAlstyne family before coming to the museum. Gibbard Furniture was a company founded by John Gibbard who was born in 1813. Around adulthood he became an apprentice to his Father, who was a carpenter and millwright. In 1836 John Gibbard moved to Napanee where he at one point worked for John Benson installing doors and windows for Benson's store. In 1860 he leased a mill from William Bartels where he made furniture as well as doors, coffins, and more. His business grew throughout his life and managed to overcome the significant challenge of two separate fires. John Gibbard passed away in 1908. Gibbard Furniture remained in the his family until 1940 when it was purchased by Jack McPherson a former Gibbard sale's manager. It remained in the McPherson family until 2009 when the factory was shut down. |
People |
VanAlstyne, Joseph VanAlstyne, Elizabeth (nee Fennell) VanAlstyne, James Loucks, Anna Fenell, Abel Hubbell, Jane Gibbard, John Bartels, William Benson, John |
Subjects |
Sideboards Furniture Furniture industry Furniture making |
Search Terms |
Gibbard Gibbard Furniture Gibbard's Furniture Gibbards |