The Garland County Historical Society, in association with the Garland County Library, will present "The Legacy of Dallas Bump," at noon Tuesday at the Garland County Library.
"Bump, named an Arkansas Living Treasure in 2013, handcrafted furniture in Garland County for more than 75 years," a news release said.
The program can be attended in person or viewed virtually at http://www.facebook.com/garlandcountylibrary or http://www.youtube.com/garlandcolibrary.
John J. Archibald, the editor and publisher of Ouachita Life magazine, will explore the life and ongoing legacy of Bump, who died in 2016 at the age of 94. He will also shine a light on the community of Bear, the site of the renowned fourth-generation chairmaker's home and business, the release said.
Bump's nephew, Leon Sutton, and his wife, Donna, will be special guests. "They continue the Bump chair-making tradition today and will display chairs at the program. In addition, a short video about Bump produced by the Arkansas Arts Council will be shown," it said.
Dallas' grandfather, Canadian immigrant Philander Bump, founded the company at Bear in 1871. "He had been taught the art of chair-making by his mother, who was descended from a line of master craftsmen in France. As a boy, Dallas apprenticed under his father, Fred Bump," the release said.
"Made of native materials, Bump's chairs are made by hand one at a time and use no glue, bolts, or brackets. The most popular of the chairs, the Bump rocking chair, has been sought after for use in homes across the country, including the White House," it said.
The Historical Society, 328 Quapaw Ave., is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. Call 501-321-2159 for more information.
Three generations of Bump family chairmakers are shown at Bear around 1965. From left are Dallas Bump, his father, Fred Oliver Bump, and his son, Freddie Bump. Photo is courtesy of the Garland County Historical Society. - Submitted photo
Dallas Bump and his nephew, Leon Sutton, are shown with a babys rocking chair at the Bump Chair Company in Bear. Sutton apprenticed under Bump, who died in 2016. Today, with his wife, Donna, Sutton continues the family furniture-making tradition. Photo is courtesy of John J. Archibald. - Submitted photo