The Green Striped Chatham Blanket is the next style released by the resurrected Chatham Manufacturing Company, led by Alex Chatham. (Photo courtesy of Chatham Manufacturing)
The decline of American manufacturing, especially in the textile industry, is evident in the East End of Elkin in the partially demolished Chatham Mill. A sad sight, especially for those whose families make a living in the factory, one of the Chathams is doing what they can to revive the brand that once called Elkin home.
Alex Chatham is from New York, but his relationship with the Chatham family has brought back a classic wool blanket that is famous for textile makers.
“I’m from a long line of wool-making chathams,” he explained. “My grandfather was Thurmond Chatham, who had run the company for many years.”
Chatham’s uncle was a former president of the company, and his father had never been directly involved in the company, but “there’s a lot of family history,” he said.
Five or six years ago, Chatham said he was really interested in the history of the family company and then heard about the dismantling of the factory.
“I was shocked that it was still there and then demolished,” he said.
Industrial designer Chatham said he began to wonder if there was a way to resume production of chatham blankets.
He began to reach out to some of the remaining wool manufacturers in the country, and it was a tough road.
“I spent three or four years wondering who could work to make an American wool blanket again. Each had a reason why it didn’t work as a viable product.” He said. But driven by the pride of his family, he continued the project.
Chatham began funding the project in October 2020 through an online business financing platform called Kickstarter.
At that time, Chatham discovered that the Civil War era factory manufactured wool products using “American manufacturing methods” and agreed to carry out the project with funding from Kickstarter. However, by the time the funds were raised, the factory was closed. Fortunately, the shutdown was temporary, and a year later, Chatham said he finally got the product.
“There was nothing easy, it’s been years,” Chatham said.
Finally, a warm and durable chatam wool blanket is back.
“There is satisfaction and accomplishment, but I feel it’s just the beginning,” said Chatham. “The ultimate goal for me was not just to go through the process to make it happen, but to actually go through the process to make a product and turn it into a viable business.”
“The first line of blankets, the redesigned company, is the only beginning I think,” said Chatham. “There is another style coming soon. My hope is to build dozens of different styles and color lines.”
Chatham said he received “overwhelmingly positive” feedback on the new blanket. According to Chatham, the right type of wool blanket, the right fabric weight, and the right wool finish are one of the toughest parts, and that’s all.
Chatham said that not only those who had a nostalgic connection with the original Chatham factory, but also those who understand the quality of the product buy blankets.
“I think it’s not just people who know the name and history of Chatham, but I think some people really love American products. It’s more and more rare. Faithful wool that loves the ideas of the American wool industry. I think the fans are there. “
Jane Hazelman, who lives in Elkin, is one of those who are proud to own one of the new Chatham blankets.
Hazelman said she and her daughters had heard of Chatham’s plans to revive the blanket, and she contacted him via Facebook to chat more about the project.
“Unknown to me, the daughters have invested in throwing and are estimated to arrive in February 2021. Of course, everyone knows what happened at the same time. December 2021 Imagine the surprise of unwrapping a Christmas gift and finding a real Chatham blanket. I love the connection between our sweet town and my dear friend Barbara Chatham, Elkin’s Elderly. I think many of you have the original Chatham blanket in your closet, but I think it’s worth the wait, “Haselman said.
With Chatham’s commitment to preserving the family heritage, the new blanket should be an important item for residents of the Elkin region and beyond.
“I’ve tried to make this real as much as possible, but as much as possible, it’s the same Chatham blanket that was made before, except for the fact that it’s not made of Ekin,” he said. rice field.
For more information on the resurrection of the Chatham Blanket, please visit chathammfg.com.
