Pennsylvania House Dresser

Once a household name, Pennsylvania House was an American furniture producer known for its fine solid wood pieces. In operation for more than a century, the company made living, dining and bedroom furniture like chairs, end tables and chests of drawers, most of which were crafted from solid cherry. 

The company was founded in 1887 in a small factory in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. From the outset, Pennsylvania House sourced most of its raw materials from old-growth cherry tree forests within 100 miles of the factory. For almost the entirety of the company's history, particularly during its heyday from the 1930s to the 1970s, colonial-style cherry furniture endured as its most popular offering. 

Over time, Pennsylvania House expanded into reproduction Victorian furniture and even offered a line of modern pieces to appeal to shifting tastes. In the 1960s and throughout the ’70s and ‘80s, furniture made of maple, oak, walnut and pine also grew in demand for its lower price points and lighter finishes. Cherry, however, remained a mainstay.

In the 1990s, the changing global marketplace posed a challenge to Pennsylvania House and many other American furniture companies. Solid wood furniture decreased in popularity as more affordable options were introduced from abroad.

 La-Z-Boy purchased the company in 2005 and its operations were moved overseas. In 2007, Pennsylvania House was sold again, and no new furniture was produced under the brand.

Today, vintage Pennsylvania House solid wood furniture is beloved by collectors for its exceptional beauty and quality.

On 1stDibs, find Pennsylvania House case pieces, tables, seating and more.

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.