Joseph McHugh used the phrase ‘mission style’ to describe his line of linear rustic style furniture that he began producing in earnest in 1895. As a Result of this, mission style furniture became a popular style around the turn of the 20th century. It started based on the furniture being made for a church in San Francisco and being copied off the historic Spanish missions. By the early 1900’s, there were 2 distinct craftsman who had brought this furniture to its current linear style - for example, the mission recliner. These men, Gustav Stickley and Elbert Hubbard, are the fathers of what we see today. Joseph Mchugh won a silver medal at the 1901 Pan-American Exhibition displaying his furniture, but Stickley and Hubbard continued on in a much more prolific way.

In the early 1900’s every home was either furnished in Victorian furniture or mission style furniture, and, possibly, a blend of both. The impact of these furnishings was overwhelming. Because of this thrust many manufacturers started developing a line of mission style furniture, or were totally dedicated to this line alone.

Craftsman Workshops of Gustav Stickley were reputed as the best in quality and design for the era. To date his inspiration is monumental. All of his furniture was hand made rather than machine made, designed to be practical and basic. He used mostly oak, the joiners were in view, the upholstery was either leather or canvas, wood could be varnished but never painted, and there were never any useless lines. No nails were used just wooden pegs or beaten copper or iron. Many people will pay in the several thousands to own an original of his workmanship. Among the other craftsman that contributed to the manufacturing of this style are L&JG Stickley, Charles Rohlfs, Charles Limbert, The Shop of the Crafters, Stickley Brothers, Grand Rapids Bookcase and Chair Company, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Greene and Greene. Their ideas and inspiration is still remaining today.

Mission style furniture, a century later, remains a very sought after style of furniture. It is being produced by the one man craftsman to being manufactured by the medium to large national companies. As it’s always been, the craftsmanship of this furniture varies greatly. Some can be constructed of solid oak while some is being made of pressboard and laminate. Finding the workmanship and cost you desire is up to you. The Amish have developed a trade of making elevated quality mission style furniture, and there are many Amish furniture stores today, such as this Shipshewana Amish furniture location.