(Arts & Crafts / Mission Style)
The rod at the top, then as now, held towels and washcloths. A pitcher and washbasin were kept on the table top, while the bottom was used for chamber pots (see postcard at right). The washstand shown in the recent photo at left still has its original green finish and copper top, and measures about 42" wide X 18" deep X 42" high.
(Postcard: Detroit Publishing)
THIS COPPER TOP washstand, made of ash, was one of the original 1904 furnishings chosen by architect Robert Reamer for the Old Faithful Inn. Washstands like this are still in use today in some rooms of the "Old House" (oldest) section of the Inn.
The son of a furniture dealer, Charles Limbert began as a salesman in the trade, then in 1894 opened a furniture factory in Grand Rapids, Michigan--a town that became known as "Furniture City." The factory reached its peak in 1904-1906, producing furniture influenced by Stickley and by the Dutch Arts & Crafts style. In the early years of the business, Limbert continued to act as a furniture agent for manufactures such as Old Hickory of Martinsville, Indiana--suppliers of the original rustic chairs selected for the Inn's dining room.
Interest in the Arts and Crafts movement ended with the onset of World War I, and Limbert's last Arts & Craft style furniture was produced in 1918. His factory continued manufacturing other styles of furniture until it closed in 1944.
IN THE 1980s, Mission Style furniture became highly collectible and once again fashionable--a trend which continues today. In February 1999, and again in December 2000, Limbert copper top washstands originally from the Old Faithful Inn, identical to the one shown above, sold for $6,500 (Treadway Gallery, Cincinnati) and $6000 (Treadway, Chicago), respectively. To view these items and related auction information on the Web, click here for Feb. 1999 auction and click here for Dec. 2000 auction.