Joseph McHugh used the phrase ‘mission style’ to describe his line of linear rustic style furniture that he started producing in earnest in 1895. As a Result of this, mission style furniture became a popular style around circa 1900. It’s genesis was based on the furniture being manufactured for a church in San Francisco and being copied off the old Spanish missions. By the early 1900’s, there were 2 distinct craftsmen who had introduced this furniture to its current style of straight line – for example, the mission recliner. The two individuals, Gustav Stickley and Elbert Hubbard, are the fathers of what we see today. Joseph Mchugh won a silver medal at the 1901 Pan-American Exhibition displaying his furniture, but Stickley and Hubbard progressed on in a much more prolific way.

In the early twentieth century every home was either furnished in Victorian furniture or mission style furniture, and, potentially, a little of both. The impact of these furnishings was overwhelming. Because of this boom many manufacturers started developing a line of mission style furniture, or were totally dedicated to this line alone.

Craftsman Workshops of Gustav Stickley were known as the leader in quality and design for the era. To date his influence is mind-boggling. All of his furniture was hand made rather than machine made, designed to be practical and simple. He used nearly exclusively oak, the joiners were in view, the upholstery was either leather or canvas, wood could be varnished but never painted, and there was never any unnecessary lines. No nails were utlized only wooden pegs or pounded copper or iron. Many people will pay in the several thousands to own an authentic piece of his craftsmanship. Some of the other craftsman that contributed to the manufacturing of this style are L&JG Stickley, Charles Rohlfs, Charles Limbert, The Shop of the Crafters, Stickley Brothers, Grand Rapids Bookcase and Chair Company, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Greene and Greene. Their contribution and inspiration is still remaining today.

Mission style furniture, after over 100 years, remains a very sought after style of furniture. It is being produced by the lone craftsman to being manufactured by the medium to large national companies. As it’s always been, the quality of this furniture varies widely. Some can be made of solid oak while others are being made of pressboard and laminate. Discovering the workmanship and price you desire is up to you. The Amish have made a trade of making elevated quality mission style furniture, and there are many Amish furniture stores today, such as this Shipshewana furniture location.

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