Ethan Allen
Ninety years of American case goods, from Vermont workshops to your living room
- Founded
- 1932
- Founders
- Theodore Baumritter and Nathan S. Ancell
- Headquarters
- Danbury, Connecticut
- Workshops
- Vermont, North Carolina, Mexico, Honduras
- CEO
- Farooq Kathwari
Written by Evelien Bunnik-RemmeltsCo-Founder and CEO, WhoppahEthan Allen is an American furniture maker founded in 1932 by Theodore Baumritter and Nathan S. Ancell. It bought a furniture factory in Beecher Falls, Vermont in 1936 and in 1939 launched an early-American line named after the Revolutionary War figure Ethan Allen, a name that stuck for the whole company. Headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut since 1972 and led by Farooq Kathwari, it still runs its own plants in Vermont and North Carolina, plus facilities in Mexico and Honduras. That vertical setup is why older Ethan Allen case goods turn up secondhand in such solid shape. On Whoppah you'll find Ethan Allen pieces with decades of use behind them, and our curation team reviews every listing before it goes live. My take: vintage Ethan Allen is some of the most underrated solid-wood furniture in America right now.
How did Ethan Allen get its name?
Baumritter and Ancell started as a housewares business in 1932. In 1936 they bought a furniture factory in Beecher Falls, Vermont, and in 1939 introduced an early-American collection named after Ethan Allen, the Vermont patriot. The line did so well that it became the company.
Ethan Allen moved its headquarters from New York City to Danbury, Connecticut in 1972 and went public in 1993. It still makes much of its own furniture, with wood operations in Beecher Falls and Orleans, Vermont, and Old Fort, North Carolina.
Which Ethan Allen collections do collectors look for?
Until the 1970s the brand worked almost only in early-American style: maple and pine, spindle-back chairs, hutches. Then it widened into French Provincial and Georgian looks. The Georgian Court collection, with cherry camelback sofas and ball-and-claw feet, is a well-known example from that period.
The Country French pieces from later decades are easy to spot and easy to live with. And today's Ethan Allen is much more modern, so the name now covers a wide range of styles.
How do I check the quality of used Ethan Allen?
Pull out a drawer. Older Ethan Allen case goods often have dovetailed joinery and solid-wood construction, and the maker's mark is usually stamped or labeled inside a drawer or on the back. Check that drawers run smoothly and don't drop when opened.
Surface scratches on solid wood can be refinished, which is the big advantage over veneer on particleboard. Watch for water damage, split tops and loose chair joints. For upholstery, the frame is what you're paying for; fabric can be replaced.
How does vintage Ethan Allen look in a modern home?
Better than you'd think. A maple dresser painted a deep green, or a cherry dining table with modern chairs, suddenly looks fresh.
I'd treat Ethan Allen as the solid backbone of a room and add the personality around it. It's built to take that kind of second life.
“Vintage Ethan Allen is proof that solid wood never really goes out of style, it just waits for a new owner.”
Frequently asked questions
Is Ethan Allen furniture still made in America?
Much of it is. Ethan Allen runs plants in Vermont and North Carolina, alongside facilities in Mexico and Honduras.
How do I identify vintage Ethan Allen furniture?
Look inside drawers or on the back for a stamp or label with the Ethan Allen name. Collection names and model numbers are often printed there too.
Is old Ethan Allen furniture solid wood?
Many older case goods are solid wood such as maple, pine or cherry. Check the piece itself, since construction varies by collection and era.
Can vintage Ethan Allen be refinished?
Solid-wood pieces usually can be sanded and refinished or painted. Veneered surfaces need more care, so ask a restorer first.
Can I sell Ethan Allen furniture on Whoppah?
Yes. Photograph the maker's label, include measurements and any wear, and our curation team reviews every listing before it goes live.
Solid American furniture deserves a second round. Set a saved search for Ethan Allen on Whoppah, or sell the dresser that's been waiting in the basement.