Muskoka vs Adirondack Chair

When it comes to iconic symbols of cottage life, Muskoka chairs have established their place right along with campfires by the lake. The Muskoka chair is synonymous with the Adirondack chair and although many people use these words interchangeably there are some notable differences when comparing the Muskoka chair vs. Adirondack chair.

 The Muskoka Chair vs Adirondack Chair

At a glance, the two chairs may seem identical, however, this is not the case. The seat of the Adirondack Chair is two to three inches higher than that of the Muskoka.

The last barely discernible difference between the Muskoka and Adirondack chairs is the width between the armrests. Adirondack chairs happen to offer an extra two to three inches of space between the armrests. 

History of the Muskoka Chair

Contrary to popular belief, the renowned “Muskoka Chair” was not originally crafted in Muskoka. Instead, it was conceived by Thomas Lee during his visit to the Adirondack Mountains in Westport, New York.

As tourism flourished in Muskoka, these chairs gained popularity among American visitors, leading local artisans to produce their own versions to meet the demand. Over time, the chairs became synonymous with the region, earning the name “Muskoka Chairs” and becoming a symbol of tourism in Muskoka.

History of the Adirondack Chair

The history of the Adirondack chair begins in the Town of Westport, NY with the inventor of the Westport chair - Massachusetts native Thomas Lee. Lee's family owned a house in Westport, and he spent many of his summers there around the early 20th century.

In an interview between the Sun Community News and Thomas Lee's great-great nephew, it was revealed that Lee came from a wealthy family, was a Harvard graduate, but then dropped out of law school because he preferred to work in nature and felt at home in the Adirondacks.

As the story goes, during one summer in Westport, Lee felt a desire to create a chair that could handle the rugged terrain of the Adirondacks. This chair would have to be sturdy, balanced, and comfortable on everything from sandy ground to a small hill.

From 1900-1903, Lee worked on making this new chair. In order to perfect it, he had his family members test out each prototype before moving on to the next. Eventually, Lee came up with what he considered the perfect chair: wide armrests, a high back, and a slanted seat (the seat and back were made from single pieces of wood).

Different variations of the Adirondack and Muskoka chair

Many manufacturers have been able to blend different types and styles of chairs to come up with new variations of the original Muskoka and Adirondack chair designs.  

It's not just about the name, its about embracing a lifestyle.  Here's to many happy hours spent outdoors enjoying nature and relaxing in your chosen Muskoka or Adirondack Chair!

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