Why are there plaques beside every classroom, office, etc?
Nearly every room in Norton Hall has been dedicated to the memory or in honor of a furniture executive, company or individual who contributed funds to this building and helped shaped the furniture industry.
On the Krell B. Norton - First Level:
Haverty Textiles Classroom #102 - Named for Haverty Furniture Companies based in Atlanta with more than 100 retail stores across the East and Southeast.
Sealy Student Lounge - Named for Sealy, Inc., one of the best-known manufacturers of mattresses, headquartered in Archdale, N.C.
La-Z-Boy Tiered Lecture Room #101 - Named for La-Z-Boy, a billion dollar manufacturer of furniture for the entire home, located in Monroe, Michigan. Originally, primarily a recliner manufacturer, La-Z-Boy today sells products under a variety of brand names including Hammary, American Drew, Lea, American of Martinsville, Pennsylvania House and England, as well as La-Z-Boy!
Century Lighting Lab #105 - Named for Century Furniture Industries, a manufacturer of higher-priced upholstered furniture and case goods, headquartered in Hickory, N.C.
Broyhill Multipurpose Lecture Room #103, #104 - Supported by the Broyhill Family Foundation and named for Broyhill Furniture Industries of Lenoir, N.C., manufacturer of mid-priced upholstery and case goods.
Norman Hekler Vestibule - Named in memory of Norman Hekler, a prominent High Point furniture designer, who had a long and distinguished career of designing many of the best-selling furniture groupings in the furniture industry.
Thayer Coggins, Inc. Elevator - Named for Thayer Coggin, Inc., of High Point, a leader in contemporary styled furnishings for the home for more than 50 years.
On the Bill Peterson Floor - Second Level:
Gene and Jean Kester Furniture Classroom #203 - Named for Gene Kester and his wife Jean of High Point, N.C., Mr. Kester is a successful furniture sales representative, High Point University Trustee and furniture leader.
Robert P. Gruenberg Historical Reference/Presentation Norton Hall Room #202- Named for Bob Gruenberg, who was the General Manager of the International Home Furnishings Center in High Point for several years, and is responsible in large part for the present strength of the High Point Furniture Market.
Furniture Brands International Gallery Room #201 - Named for Furniture Brands International, a billion-dollar manufacturer of furniture for the home that markets its products under such brand names as Thomasville, Broyhill, Lane, Drexel Heritage and Henredon.
J. Smith Young Atrium - Named in memory of J. Smith Young of Lexington, N.C., the driving force behind Dixie Furniture, Henry Link and a number of other furniture manufacturers that today are known as Lexingon Home Brands.
Bassett Furniture Industries Library #212 - Named for Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., of Bassett, VA., manufacturers of medium-priced upholstery and case goods for the home.
Ladd, Inc. Office #213 - Named for Ladd, Inc., now owned by La-Z-Boy, Inc. Originally Ladd was formed of companies such as Lea, American Drew, Daystrom and American of Martinsville.
Barnhardt Manufacturing Company Vestibule - Named for Barnhardt Manufacturing Company of Mount Airy, N.C. manufacturers and suppliers of foams, fiber and other fabricating materials for upholstered furniture.
Bill and Jean Kester Office #211 - Named for the former president of Rose Furniture Company of High Point, N.C., and his wife. Rose Furniture was one of the top 100 furniture retailers in the United States.
Huntington Wholesale Department Head Office #210- Named for Huntington Wholesale Furniture Company of Huntington, W.V., a full service wholesale furniture distributor serving small stores and interiors designers in West Virginia and central Pennsylvania.
Finch Industries Office #209 - Named for Finch Industries, a manufacturer of mirrors in Thomasville, N.C.
Mr. and Mrs. Sherrill W. Shaw Office #208 - Named for the former owner of Shaw Furniture and his wife, of Randleman, N.C. Shaw Furniture was a large retail store which was one of the first and most successful furniture stores in N.C., serving shoppers from all over the U.S.
Charles and Chris Greene Office # 207 - Named for the founder of Classic Gallery, Inc. of High Point and his wife. Classic Gallery is a manufacturer of fine quality upholstery, primarily in the contemporary style category.
Industrie Natuzzi Spa Office # 206 - Named for Natuzzi Furniture Company of southern Italy. The U.S. headquarters is in High Point, N.C., and Natuzzi manufactures largely leather upholstery in a variety of colors and styles.
Klaussner Furniture Industries Office #205 - Named for Klaussner Furniture Industries of Asheboro, N.C., a manufacturer of upholstered furniture that was one of the pioneers in the area of "quick ship" furniture.
Vaughan Furniture Industries Office #204 - Named for Vaughan Furniture Industries of Galax, Va., a manufacturer of competitively priced wood bedroom furniture.
On the Culp Incorporated Floor - Third Level:
J. Clyde Hooker Jr. Upper Level Atrium - Named for the retired chairman of Hooker Furniture Company of Martinsville, Va., a manufacturer of wood furniture for the home in all categories from home office to bedroom.
Sherrill Furniture 1st Year Design Studio #303 - Named for Sherrill Furniture Co., of Hickory, N.C., a manufacturer of premium upholstered products for the home.
Leggett and Platt 4th Year Design Studio #301 - Named for Leggett and Platt, Inc., of Carthage, MO, the largest manufacturer of components for upholstered furniture in the U.S., as well as an array of other products.
Joe and Sharon Richardson II CAD Lab #307 - Named for the former Chairman of Richardson Brothers, Inc., of Shegoygan Falls, Wisconsin, which was a manufacturer and importer of wood furniture for the home.
Rowe Companies 2nd and 3rd Year Design Studio #305 - Named for Rowe Companies of McLean, Va., manufacturers of popular-priced upholstered furniture for the home.