La-Z-Boy dedicated to local history
■ La-Z-Boy donates $25,000 to museum 45 years after donating first chair.
When La-Z-Boy came to Siloam Springs in 1973 and began production in the former Pet Milk Plant on Lincoln Street, the company had the foresight to donate the first chair off the assembly line to the Siloam Springs Museum.
Forty-five years later, the local factory, now located on Country Club Road, is exponentially larger, but the company is still dedicated to local history. The La-Z-Boy Foundation recently donated $25,000 to sponsor a manufacturing/industrial exhibit at the Siloam Springs Museum when it reopens in 2019, according to Katie Rennard, museum board president.
“La-Z-Boy Incorporated is proud to operate in the Siloam Springs community,” said Audra Farrell, La-Z-Boy Siloam Springs human resource manager. “It has truly been an honor to work side by side with Katie, Don (Warden, museum director), and the museum leaders to support a worthy cause to preserve the history of Siloam Springs. Importantly, following the example set by our founders, Edwin J. Shoemaker and Edward M. Knabusch, La-Z-Boy is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the communities in which we live and serve through leadership, financial contributions and volunteer efforts.”
The manufacturing/industrial exhibit will permanently bear La-Z-Boy’s name, but it will feature displays from many of the manufacturers in Siloam Springs’ long history of industry, Rennard said. The donation will help