1877
Alexander Chatham took over operation of the water powered mill that he worked in and installed wool processing equipment. He takes wool from the surrounding foothills and makes yarn and fabrics.
1893
The first “Chatham Blanket” is cut and labelled as such.
1917
Chatham Manufactures its wool blankets by the thousands for the french and American armies in WW1.
1923
Chatham starts making woolen interiors for automobiles. Customers include Studebaker, Ford, Chrysler, AMC Hudson and Nash.
1940 – 1950
Chatham manufactures millions of blankets for the armed forces in World War 2 while the company’s president, Thurmond Chatham, commands a cruiser in the Pacific. Following WWII, The Chatham Blanketeers play in the Blue Ridge league.
1950 – 1960
Chatham works with textile designer Marianne Strengell to design automotive interiors
