Named for Caroline Kennedy, daughter of our 35th president, the Caroline Rocking Chair has become a traditional gift for newborn babies. In 1963, North Carolina Governor Terry Sanford commissioned Arval and Walter Woody to create chairs for Caroline and John Jr. and they remained in the White House during Kennedy’s presidency. Both chairs are now in the Kennedy Presidential Library.
Owning a Caroline Rocking Chair is like having a piece of American history in your home, but this wonderful rocker is far more than a collectible or family heirloom. Created using the same method used for generations, this miniature rocker is as indestructible as it is beautiful. You will love it’s history and the quality of craftsmanship: your child will simply love it.
Woody’s Chair Shop acquires wood “on the stump” and then mills the logs to appropriate specifications. These boards will stay outside and dry naturally, for up to two years. This allows the wood to age over time which is what gives our chairs their strength and rich color. At the heart of our process is the method that has been handed down for generations for the bending of the back slats. No glue or nails are used in the weight-bearing parts of the chair.
Childs/Caroline Rocker
You may choose from cherry, black walnut, maple, or oak.
Chairs can be produced in your choice of one of three styles:
- Chalet – Our most popular style. It is at home in traditional, contemporary, and eclectic décor.
- Colonial – Simple, but with understated elegance and graceful details.
- Betsy Ross – Our most complex, highly detailed design. Especially popular in rocking chairs and other chairs to be highlighted in your room.
Each piece is given a hand-rubbed oil finish that brings out the natural beauty of the wood. The finish is almost indestructible and will withstand years of normal wear and tear without chipping or scratching. The chair seats are a woven textile fiber sealed with a coat of clear shellac.