Jonns Interiors Founder Harry Kahn Receives Explorer Of The Year Award From The Philadelphia Chapter Of The Explorers Club

Furniture World Magazine

Harry Kahn, chairman of Jonns Interiors and two Bassett Furniture Direct stores, has received The Philadelphia Chapter of the Explorers Club's Explorer of the Year award for 2002. At a November dinner lecture, the chapter recognized Kahn for his longstanding and generous support as well as for numerous explorations across the globe. Some of the most wonderful times I've had have been at Explorers Club events," said Kahn, "Not only are the subjects interesting, but the members have a vibrancy, a love of life and an appreciation of doing the unusual." A pioneer in the furniture industry, who opened one of the first Ethan Allen stores, Kahn has been an active member of The Explorers Club since 1977 and a patron of exploration. His interests include marine sciences, anthropology and history as well as adventure travel. He has made many trips to Africa. At the age of 80, he took part in an expedition to Ethiopia's remote Omo River Valley, where the team documented many of the early Christian churches carved out of the stone of the surrounding mountains. He also has participated in numerous underwater archaeological expeditions and is a director and benefactor of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University. In 2001 Kahn was elected to the Tri-State Furniture Association_s Hall Of Fame. He has been a member of that association and served on the board of the National Home Furnishings Association, and is active in the Montgomeryville Business Association. His philanthropy has benefited The Explorers Club, the Institute of Nautical Archaeology and the National Geographic Society, as well as the Lamb Foundation, an organization for adult women with special needs. Kahn lives in Gwynedd, Pa., with his wife, Joan. Founded in 1904 by a group of the world_s leading explorers, The Explorers Club is a multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and the ideal that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore. The club has members from 60 countries around the world and some 30 regional chapters in the United States and abroad.