I found this headboard and footboard at an antique shop today. It was made by the Northwestern Mfg. Co from Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

When was this company operational and can anyone date this piece?

Greetings,

I believe that the Northwestern Mfg. Co. operated out of Wisconsin sometime in the mid-1800's until who knows when (apparently the original manufacturing building was torn down sometime before 2007). The company moved to Fort Atkinson from Hebron in 1866 and rapidly purchased a wagon and carriage business, a foundry and machine company, and then a cutter business. Soon after they begain manufacturing furniture. The company survived various floods, a fire in 1906, and by 1910 had approximately 250 employees. This information is from W.D. Hoard, A Man for His Time by L.H. Osman. Here's a link to the Hoard Historical Museum with more info: http://www.hoardmuseum.org/23.asp?page=23.asp&ID=32.

This company must have produced various Arts and Crafts style pieces (I have seen a desk/libary table). The headboard in question certainly has some Arts and Crafts attributes, in my humble opinion. However, it does appear to be of a design from later in the period, possibly the 20's or later(?).

Copperoak

From whan I can gather from the web, The company operated from 1866 - 1878 as Northwestern Furniture Co. Then had a name change in 1879 to Northwestern Mfg Co. and was purchased by the James Manufacturing Co. - makers of farm machinery, barns, silos some time in the twenties.

Lauren

Thanks for the useful information. I just have to figure out if the piece is worth what the dealer is asking for.

I just sanded some paint off the bottom of an old highchair that was painted white and found the same NorthWestern sticker on it. Apparantly they also made highchairs. I was excited to see your post and to find out a little about my highchair!