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All the United States Washington, D.C. The Big Chair

The Big Chair

A super-sized promotional trick that is now a D.C. landmark.

Washington, D.C.

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sjs89
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The Big Chair   Ted Eytan/CC BY-SA 2.0
The Big Chair   Ted Eytan/CC BY-SA 2.0
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Plaque   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
🪑   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
The Big Chair!   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In the late '50s, before the widespread availability of mass communication, local businesses had to take drastic steps to advertise themselves, and it was with this in mind that Washington DC furniture company Curtis Brothers Furniture built The Big Chair.

This self-explanatory monument stands 19½ feet tall and was at one time the largest chair in America. The chair was originally made out of wood but after years being battered by the elements the monument became unstable and had to be deconstructed for repairs. Instead of replacing the wooden structure the chair was rebuilt with aluminum so that the over-sized furniture would last for future generations to enjoy. The chair also garnered further local fame shortly after its construction when artist Lynn Arnold lived atop the chair for 42 days without coming down. It must be comfortable.

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Roadside Attractions Monuments Statues Shops Big Chairs

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Added By

sjs89

Edited By

Martin, Meg, Jason Michael Walker

  • Martin
  • Meg
  • Jason Michael Walker

Published

August 28, 2012

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  • http://cicotello.com/Pictures%20and%20Information/USA/States/Washington%20DC/Attractions/Worlds%20Largest%20Chair/The%20Big%20Chair.htm
The Big Chair
Martin Luther King Avenue and V Street, S.E
Washington, District of Columbia, 20020
United States
38.8654, -76.989685
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Photo of Washington, D.C.

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Photo of Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

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How the U.S. Lost the Title for the World's Largest Chair

world's largest

By Kavya Ram Mohan

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