Terrace Chairs: A Love Story – The Long Distance Relationship
With an all too familiar Wisconsin winter now in full swing, we crave time spent in the arms (or on the seats) of loved ones, preferably with a cup of Peet’s hot chocolate. But the freshly laid snow covering the Terrace is a harsh reminder that our beloved Terrace chairs are not with us this season.
When we’re away from those we love, we may find ourselves starting to forget the little things. Is the yellow more of a dandelion color, or pastel? Do all the chairs have armrests? Do any of the chairs have armrests?! Fear not! You will see your faithful friends again, but, if we can’t spend this chilly season perched upon them, we might as well learn a few things about our loyal companions.
Although our own relationship with the chairs seems to be timeless, they’ve been spotted on the Memorial Union Terrace since 1929. The first versions were made of cane, and in 1931, were replaced with a more durable metal design. One version of the chair featured spring metal backs and seats held together with rivets. Sometimes, due to metal fatigue, these strips would break at the rivets, creating dangerously jagged metal.
Despite the saying “the ones we love are those who hurt you the most,” we desired a more gentle embrace from these particular loved ones. A modernized version of the metal chairs (without rivets) proved successful, holding up better against heavy use and weather. The future of the Terrace chairs became shaky in 1976, when the Troy Sun Shade Company, the sole producer of our metal chairs, not only went out of business, but destroyed the tooling used to produce the chairs. Finally, after five years (and probably several panic attacks), Wisco Industries of Oregon, WI, became the replacement producer and has been repairing and replacing our green, orange and yellow beauties ever since.
Does life go on while the chairs are away? How do we survive the winter without our steadfast companions? Long distance relationships can be hard, and picturing our precious chairs in unfamiliar locations can be painful, but winter doesn’t last forever (though this issue may seem debatable in the state of Wisconsin).
So, although it’s cold outside, the lake is frozen and the Terrace seems desolate, the chairs remind us of time spent outside. When we see that familiar vibrant sunburst pattern, no matter where we happen upon it, we’re reassured of the chairs’ ultimate return. We begin to smell brats on the grill, feel the heat of the sun on our necks and of another Terrace season just as magical as the last.
We know you miss them, but try to refrain from a secret rendezvous, as they may not be sequestered just where you think…
So, where exactly are the chairs? When will they be back? Find out in Terrace Chairs: A Love Story – More Than Just a Fling!
Photos courtesy of Jeff Miller.
