Archie Bunker's Chair from All in the Family

Archie Bunker's Chair from All in the Family

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Description
Wing chair used by character Archie Bunker on the television sitcom, All in the Family, 1970-1978. The upholstered, wood-framed chair was purchased for the show from a thrift store in Southern California and used in the show's production until the final season, when a reproduction was made after this chair was donated to the Smithsonian.
All in the Family was one of the most popular and influential television programs of the twentieth century. Before the series' 1970 premiere, most sitcoms had only lightly discussed political and social change, focusing instead on family matters and character foibles. Show creator Norman Lear wanted to produce television programming that depicted "real people dealing with real issues" and adapted the British series Till Death Do Us Part for CBS. Set in Queens, New York, All in the Family followed the working-class Bunker family: Archie (played by Caroll O'Connor), a blue-collar World War II veteran and outspoken conservative, kindhearted wife and mother Edith (played by Jean Stapleton), college-aged liberal feminist daughter Gloria (played by Sally Struthers), and her husband, progressive Michael "Meathead" Stivic (played by Rob Reiner), who frequently sparred with Archie over politics.
Social conflicts of the day played out in the Bunkers' living room as the bigoted Archie clashed with his liberal son-in-law and his wife Edith struggled to keep the peace. With sharp but affectionate humor, the show exposed the flaws and complexities of one American family.
Object Name
chair
Object Type
Chair
date made
before 1970
user
T. A. T. Productions
Physical Description
wood (frame; arms; legs; stretcher material)
fabric (upholstery material)
Measurements
overall: 40 in x 26 in x 31 in; 101.6 cm x 66.04 cm x 78.74 cm
ID Number
1978.2146.01
accession number
1978.2146
catalog number
1978.2146.01
Credit Line
Gift of Tandem/TAT Productions (through Norman Lear)
subject
Television
All in the Family {Television Program}
Television
See more items in
Cultural and Community Life: Entertainment
National Treasures exhibit
Domestic Furnishings
Popular Entertainment
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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Comments

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I was born in 1967 at Studibaker Hospital in Norwalk, Ca. When I was about 6 years old, I remember my mom and I use to spend every the evenings watching television shows like Mash, The Carol Burnett show and our Favorite, All in the Family!! My best memories of my childhood was watching All in the Family with my Mom because my Father worked Swing Shift at the steel mill. I always wondered about what happened to the chairs from the show. Thank you for the time to answer the questions.

Kevin Kryska

Wed, 2019-05-29 08:59

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Was this chair sent back to Los Angeles for the recent live episode that ABC aired?

Scott Napier

Wed, 2019-05-29 08:49

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It was a replica made for the live show

Scott Cornelius

Wed, 2019-06-05 16:43

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In what year was the chair acquired by the Museum?

Kyle Sullivan

Thu, 2017-09-21 09:03

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As the catalog number starts with '1978' that is an indication of when the artifact was collected.

National Museum of American History

Thu, 2017-09-21 09:08

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What company manufactured Archie Bunker's chair?

Robert Adcox

Tue, 2017-01-24 19:57

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"Hello Robert,We don not have any information regarding the maker of the chair; documentation in the file here at the museum states that Edith's and Archie's chairs were bought at a Goodwill thrift store for about $8 for the production of All in the Family.Best,Ryan LintelmanCurator, Entertainment Collection"

Ryan Lintelman

Mon, 2017-02-06 14:20

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"This is not Archie's first chair. The most widely used one, yes. But not the first. There is an unaired 1968 episode called "Justice for all' , BEFORE it was called "All in the family ". The chair Archie sat in is different, than the one ised in REGULAR shows. Edith's chair is the same. House is different, girl olaying Gloria is different, and the guy who plays Gloria's husband is named Richard and played by a different guy.Any chair that should be really iconic , is Edith's original chair. Technically speaking. LOVE THE SHOW EITHER WAY ! MY # 1 FAVORITE 70'S COMEDY ."

Chad Hallman

Sun, 2016-10-30 11:17

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Is it correct that the "Archie bunker " chair is not available for viewing? At what point would this piece of TV memorabilia be available for viewing again.I am from Canada and not local to the area.Thanks Jackie white

Jackie white

Tue, 2015-04-28 21:06

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"As of this writing, the Bunker chairs are on display in our "American Stories " exhibition. As with other objects on display, their status is subject to change."

National Museum of American History

Wed, 2015-07-22 08:56

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"I'd like to see this chair in person. (Actually, if we're being honest here, I'd would love to SIT in this chair, one day.) V.S."

V.S.

Mon, 2014-10-06 00:23

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"I saw this exhibit twice years ago and it was so interesting. I could just picture Archie in his chair.....it looked comfortable, too!"

Barbara Davis

Sun, 2016-10-02 02:20

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