Heywood Bros. & Co.

The Heywood brothers (Walter, Levi, and Benjamin) began their business in Gardner, Ma. with Walter making chairs and Levi and Benjamin selling them at a country store. In 1831, Levi moved to Boston, Ma. to open a store to sell chairs. In the 1830s, the brothers formalized their partnership under the direction of Levi. During the next three decades the business expanded. Levi was instrumental in getting the Fitchburg Railroad to run through Gardner and in the building of the Boston, Barre & Gardner Railroad. As a result, more markets became accessible to the Heywood Bros. Co. Around 1874, the firm began to manufacture chairs and other furniture of reed and rattan. Production increased and warehouses were opened in Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and San Francisco in the late 1870s and 1880s.

In 1897, the firm consolidated with its affiliate, the Heywood & Morrill Rattan Co. and its chief competitor, the Wakefield Rattan Co. to form Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Co. In 1921, the firm reincorporated under the name Heywood-Wakefield Company.

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