PORTRAIT OF THE SHIP CYRUS WAKEFIELD FLYING AN AMERICAN FLAG, SHIPS AND LIGHTHOUSE IN THE DISTANCE – by William Howard Yorke (inset: Cyrus Wakefield)
Cyrus Wakefield was not only a manufacturer, but also the creator of rattan furniture. The company, originally known as “The Wakefield Rattan Company” began operations in 1855, in the town of South Reading, Massachusetts, a village northwest of Boston, first established in 1644. Because of the prosperity the rattan works brought to that town, and the civic generosity of Cyrus, the town was renamed in his honor on July 4, 1868. 2018 marked the 150th anniversary of the re-naming of the town to Wakefield, the “Town Where Rattan Began”.
My Great Grandfather, also named Cyrus, took over the company in 1873, following the death of his Uncle, the founder. To this day, furniture bearing the Wakefield brand is considered amongst the finest of its kind ever manufactured.
Read more about Cyrus Wakefield and the rattan industry at
In 1998, during the 135th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, we were astounded at the assortment of merchandise that was available, commemorating not only this event, but also the American Civil War in general. Even with all that variety, we determined to produce a product that would capture the imagination of both re-enactors and spectators…something different, not already available. Watching the soldiers load for battle showed us that the answer was right before our eyes. Shortly after that event, we began producing our first candy filled cartridges. In late 2001, we decided to make our product available to other historical merchants, landmark sites and related gift stores. We named our company after Cyrus Wakefield.