Jackson Press
Derived from the traditionally larger sideboard, this Southern chest form, known as the Jackson Press was versatile in its use for dining rooms and kitchens. Most closely associated with Tennessee cabinet makers and named for local hero Andrew Jackson, the Jackson Press was common in the vicinity of Jackson’s home: Davidson County, Montgomery County, and Wilson County, Tennessee.
Information courtesy of Neal Auction Company, July 2006.
The Jackson Press is generally considered to be a Southern-made cupboard with two drawers over two cupboard doors, often with a shaped backsplash. They were typically used in dining rooms as a sideboard or for storing food. Sometimes the press had a top section with glazed or blind doors.
The origin of the term Jackson Press is unknown, except that many of them were made during the presidential term of Andrew Jackson, 1829 to 1837. The name is more of a Southern term than an actual Southern furniture form as cupboards with similar configuration are known to have been made throughout the country from the 1820′s to the 1870′s. They are found in a wide range of styles from primitive country to high-style Empire and Victorian examples.