Ernest and Barbara Hershberger start Homestead Furniture in a converted chicken coop.
Word spreads about Homestead’s high-quality, custom Amishmade furniture, prompting the company to open its own manufacturing facility.
BY RACHEL HAGENBAUGH
Being good stewards of the gifts God bestows — that’s the foundation upon which Homestead Furniture was created. Nearly 35 years later, the results are revolutionizing the design industry. Here, Ernest Hershberger, founder and third-generation craftsman, reflects on a journey rooted in quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. From humble beginnings in a converted chicken coop to a sprawling campus in Mt. Hope with a 47,000-sq.-ft. showroom, event center and 4-acre arboretum, read on to find out what it takes to build a legacy that can stand the test of time.
Q: What were your aspirations for Homestead Furniture?
A: My background in high-end custom kitchen cabinetry instilled in me a deep passion for quality craftsmanship and fulfilling customers’ visions. Homestead was born in 1990 from the desire to bring those same qualities to the furniture world. We focused on quality, customization and short lead times, which was a novel approach to the industry at that time. This resonated with people, and within a 10-year span, we had customers in all 50 states and nine countries — all from word-of-mouth advertising.
Q: What led you to launch Abner Henry, Homestead’s sister company?
A: I realized that the traditional furniture industry wasn’t meeting the needs of those who desired truly unique, high-end pieces. In 2008, with the economic downturn and many furniture jobs moving overseas, I saw an opening to create a company that would fill this void. Abner Henry was developed to allow designers and their clients to bring their most creative visions to life. It focuses on direct sales to interior designers, providing a streamlined ordering process through our custom-built portal, Vue Point.
Q: What has the journey been like?
A: It’s a joy to see the excitement of customers as they realize they have complete control over the design process. We’ve received countless calls and notes from customers expressing their love for our furniture, and that’s what makes it all worthwhile. Witnessing our growth, from a small chicken coop to a multibuilding campus, has been humbling. And earning recognition, like the collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art for Abner Henry, is a testament to the talent and dedication of our team.
2000
Homestead builds a new warehouse to accommodate its continued growth.
2001
To showcase an extraordinary range of highend designs and capabilities, Homestead opens a 35,000-sq.-ft. retail store.
Homestead builds a new 14,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing factory across the street. 2007
Q: What sets your companies apart from other furniture retailers?
A: We don’t just offer “good, better, best’’ options — we build furniture to your exact dimensions. We have the ability to furnish each area of your home. Choose from 10 wood species, 3,000 finishes, 10-plus upholstery brands, outdoor brands and vast options in décor. We also house our own manufacturing facility, finishing rooms and color laboratory, which becomes a playground for the imagination. This, combined with our focus on heirloom quality and dedication to servant leadership, creates a unique customer experience.
Q: What are the most important values to Homestead Furniture and Abner Henry?
A: Servant leadership is our guiding principle. We strive to serve our customers at the highest level and empower our staff to prioritize their satisfaction. We believe in building relationships, not just making sales, and fostering a company culture where everyone takes ownership of the customer experience. Lean manufacturing is also central to our philosophy. It allows us to be efficient, minimize waste and deliver custom furniture within a reasonable timeframe. Importantly, this focus doesn’t compromise quality — it enhances it.
Q: How do Homestead and Abner Henry differ from other Amish furniture companies?
A: We are a regional destination for American craftsmanship that happens to be Amish-owned. We differentiate ourselves by embracing innovation and imaginative designs alongside outstanding quality. Many Amish furniture makers focus on more traditional mission and Shaker styles and techniques. There’s no limit to our creativeness in the woodworking arena.
WE DIFFERENTIATE OURSELVES BY EMBRACING INNOVATION AND IMAGINATIVE DESIGNS ALONGSIDE OUTSTANDING QUALITY.
Ernest Hershberger founds Abner Henry (named for his father and grandfather), Homestead’s tradeonly sister company, to serve the luxury designer community.
The Gardens at Homestead open, complete with a waterfall, arboretum, pond and event space. The factory is expanded to its current 42,000 sq. ft.
Q: What does quality craftsmanship mean to you?
A: It’s about creating furniture that is not only beautiful and functional but also built to withstand the test of time. Quality craftsmanship starts with sustainable forestry practices and extends through every step of production — from wood selection and drying to assembly and finishing techniques. We’ve even developed our own proprietary ProTekt finish, a state-of-the-art process that safeguards furniture from abrasion, acids and liquids up to 200°F.
Q: Are there any exciting updates to the campus?
A: We’re constantly enhancing our grounds to create an immersive oasis of peace for visitors. Earlier this year, we opened a luxurious yurt within the arboretum. It’s a spectacular space featuring a 25-foot round design with a cathedral ceiling, hardwood floors and kitchenette. Outside, guests can enjoy the fire pit or surrounding waterfalls, pond, beach, pavilion and pergola. It’s all designed to provide the ultimate glamping experience in countryside serenity.
Nestled in the heart of Holmes County’s charming countryside, Abner Henry is captivating the design world with bold collaborations and extraordinary furniture collections that are pushing the boundaries of creativity to produce one-of-a-kind, Amish-made works of modern art.
The first spark of fame began with a phone call in 2020. The Metropolitan Museum of Art had conducted a global search for a furniture company to curate a once-in-a-lifetime home collection. They had searched for a brand with strong manufacturing roots, innovative design capabilities and a commitment to sustainability — and Abner Henry checked all of the boxes. The team was given a blank slate and unprecedented access to the museum’s entire collection to find the perfect inspirations. The AH x Met Collection’s seven pieces give nods to iconic historical paintings, reflecting the spiritual journey of both the artists and talented craftspeople who designed and manufactured the furniture.
The collaboration is a testament to Abner Henry’s ability to embrace innovation, boasting unique features that include the Duet Nesting Tables’ 24-karat gold dust that is infused into the wood grain and the Ventana Standing Mirror’s solid brass polished face.
“For them to trust somebody like me and our team with the magnitude of the project that they gave us is just awe-inspiring and very humbling,” says Ernest Hershberger, Abner Henry’s founder. “We broke through a lot of barriers to give them something that was very special, and I give all of the accolades to the team and everyone who was involved. They did an absolutely phenomenal job.”
Abner Henry attracts The Metropolitan Museum of Art for a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration.
A leather showroom is added for a total of 47,000 sq. ft. of retail space.
Abner Henry launches the limited-edition collection in collaboration with The Met, exemplifying the perfect blend of art and design. 2023
At Homestead, custom means more than having a few choices. It means freedom to dream big; the ability to design something new to the world. This is made possible by our own 42,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility located right across the street from the store, the benefits of which are never ending. Here’s what that means for you:
1. Lean manufacturing process for efficient, low-waste production.
2. Customization from beginning to end.
3. State-of-the-art finishing facility and color lab with over 3,000 wood finishes.
4. Full design and engineering team.
5. Generational craftsmanship made to last.
The Homestead Yurt debuts, allowing for overnight stays on campus.
2025
Homestead Furniture & Design Center will celebrate 35 years!
Abner Henry’s partnership with New York City interior designer Sasha Bikoff is equally remarkable. Known for her vibrant and eclectic style, Bikoff was drawn to the company’s diverse capabilities — especially its versatility, variety of wood species and color possibilities.
A chance encounter between the two led to the creation of an impressive Memphis Milano-inspired collection. The first of its kind since the 1980s Memphis design movement, this group of 25 pieces combines a kaleidoscope of hues, shapes and textures. And with Abner Henry’s
“Now we have an entire collection of Memphis Milano-inspired pieces that you can go as crazy colorful as you want, or you can go as muted as you want,” Hershberger says, noting the ability to tailor the pieces to anyone’s taste or space. “It spans a massive spectrum of style.”
The collaboration between Bikoff and Abner Henry not only resulted in a remarkable collection of furniture but also demonstrated the power of creativity, collaboration and the willingness to embrace new challenges. One standout piece is the Dino Table, a marvel of engineering that fuses metal, glass and wood in a way that’s never been
By partnering with renowned designers and institutions, Abner Henry continues to create masterpieces that are not only beautiful and functional but also tell stories. Whether you’re a design enthusiast, art lover or homeowner searching for that perfect piece of high-quality, heirloom furniture, Abner Henry’s collections are sure to inspire and delight. Visit the showrooms at Homestead Furniture & Design Center in Mt. Hope to experience the fusion of quality craftsmanship and cutting-edge design that are hallmarks of the Abner
NOW WE HAVE AN ENTIRE COLLECTION OF MEMPHIS MILANO-INSPIRED PIECES THAT YOU CAN GO AS CRAZY COLORFUL AS YOU WANT, OR YOU CAN GO AS MUTED AS YOU WANT. IT SPANS A MASSIVE SPECTRUM OF STYLE.
When you or your designer book an appointment at Homestead, trust that you will be in good hands from start to finish. Whether inspiration strikes as you browse the showroom or you’re ready with a sketch, photo or description, all you need to get started is an idea. From single pieces to furnishing full rooms, every project gets the same tender care and attention to detail. At your appointment, your consultant will create a visual proposal that will bring your visions to life with sketches, dimensions and other details, and together you’ll nail down the look of each piece. Once you’re satisfied, the design will be shared with Homestead’s master craftsmen, who fashion your dream into a reality. Finally, when your new furniture is completed, we’ll white glove deliver each piece to its new place in your home — from dreams to done.
SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT OR APPOINTMENT NOW 8233 STATE ROUTE 241, MT. HOPE, OHIO 44660 | 330-674-4902 | HOMESTEADFURNITUREONLINE.COM
MAKE A TRIP OF IT!
Book a stay at Homestead’s new luxury yurt to experience the tranquil, private campus featuring an arboretum and waterfall.
