History of the Kennedy Rocker

Relax and Enjoy Life in the Original Kennedy Rocker!

The P & P Chair Company rocker was first recommended by physician Janet Travell in 1955 to John F. Kennedy when he was a young senator from Massachusetts. He was suffering from lingering back problems from a war injury. She prescribed swimming and the use of a rocking chair as therapy to ease his pain. She believed that a rocking chair relieved tension in the lower back by keeping the muscles moving, contracting and relaxing. Kennedy bought his sturdy Appalachian oak rocker from P & P Chair Company.







As President he so loved the rocker that his aides would bring it on Air Force One when he traveled around the country and the world. He bought additional rockers for Camp David and the Kennedy estates in Palm Beach, Florida and Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. Kennedy also gave dozens of the chairs as gifts to friends and heads of state.

The Kennedy Rocking Chair is shaped, steam-bent and assembled while green according to the original design. There are no unnecessary frills -- every part is functional -- even the back post knobs have their use, as a place to tie a back cushion, if desired. The secret of this chair's comfort is the steam-bent curve of the back post, which sweeps in to give firm support to the sitter's back, and yet carry the weight down to the exact point on the rockers as they contact the floor.



It has been reported that a successful bidder at the recent Sotheby's auction of Kennedy family memorabilia paid $442,500 for one of JFK's rocking chairs. Only P & P Chair Company guarantees lineage to the original Presidential Rockers with a registered trademark stamped underneath the rocker arm of each chair, and an authentic identifying hang tag. The chair is set low for comfortable elbow support and has wide armrests for perfect balance. The seat and back offer firmness and natural spring through the use of tightly woven Malaysian rattan. The rich warm brown color would be a beautiful accent to any home.

In December 2008 P & P ceased operation and the company was purchased by Troutman Chair Company where the tradition continues. Read Gone, but not forgotten, an article about P & P Chair Company, published in the Courier-Tribunes Thrive magazine November 2013 issue, written by Chip Womack.



Read more about President's and rockers in history.