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Object Details

T. A. T. Productions
O'Connor, Carroll
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.
Credit Line
Gift of Tandem/TAT Productions
before 1970
ID Number
1978.2146.01
accession number
1978.2146
catalog number
1978.2146.01
Object Name
chair
Object Type
Chair
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
Related Publication
Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History
National Museum of American History. Treasures of American History online exhibition
Related Web Publication
http://americanhistory.si.edu/treasures
See more items in
Cultural and Community Life: Entertainment
National Treasures exhibit
Domestic Furnishings
Popular Entertainment
Highlights from the Culture and the Arts Collection
National Museum of American History
subject
Television
All in the Family {Television Program}
Television
Record ID
nmah_670097
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a4-c95d-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

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