What could be finer than driving over the hills and around curves on a beautiful sunny day? Absolutely nothing according to the 22 people in 13 gorgeous Porsches who attended a lunch at Lord Hardwicke’s, followed by a scenic drive that culminated with a tour of the Clore furniture factory and showroom! Keith Welty mapped a wonderfully scenic and delightfully curvy route through the back roads of Greene and Madison counties. Check out Ruth Road, SR 658, lined with farms and magnificent vistas, a treat for the passenger as well as the driver, with its many hills and curves.
E.A. Clore Sons, Inc., where fine cars and drivers meet fine furniture and craftsmen: Our group toured the factory with Troy Coppage, current President of the family-owned operation. Six generations of Clores and their associates have been creating furniture in the Early American tradition. To the visitor, the factory is a maze of rooms filled with heavy machinery and wood pieces in a variety of stages of completion. We learned that Clore furniture is produced using local hardwoods, such as cherry, oak, and walnut as well as imported mahogany. Frames are created using poplar and maple, which are strong and durable. Some wood pieces, such as chair/table/bed legs as well as drawer fronts for chests, cupboards, and dressers, etc. are fashioned by a machine programmed with Clore designs and patterns. Craftsmen assemble, hand finish, and stain the pieces in other sections of the factory. Their products are proudly displayed in a handsome showroom. To view the Clore furniture and gift items, visit their website or showroom (303 Clore Place, Madison, VA; M–Sat; 8:00 to 5:00).
