What happens when a German immigrant with an entrepreneurial streak and a background in modern design hires a workforce from the traditionally
Pennsylvania German population of the Upper Perkiomen Valley?
You get the extraordinary company Knoll—the manufacturer of furniture by twentieth century design luminaries such as Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Eero Saarinen, Richard Schultz, and so many more, with much of the work being done right here in Upper Hanover Township.
This November, thanks to an anonymous donor, we will open a landmark exhibit for the Heritage Center, tracing the history of Knoll using interviews with former employees, photographs and graphics, and of course, examples of Knoll furniture dating from the 1940s to the 1990s. We plan to explore the intersection of our local residents who worked for Knoll with the extraordinary designers who created the iconic furniture that has become part of our cultural landscape.
Join us for an opening reception on Saturday, November 7, featuring a light buffet, refreshments, and entertainment. We certainly hope to see former and present Knoll employees, their families, and all of you who are interested in local history and modern design. Details for this fabulous party will follow.