The McConnell Dental Chair was donated in memory of Dr. Jesse McConnell, who practiced dentistry in Habersham county.

Dr. McConnell invented and patented the chair (May 8, 1900), which originally sold for $25.00 -- including a spitton and holder! It would elevate from 15 to 36 inches, adjusting to any desired position. It was the only portable chair at the time that could be raised, lowered and adjusted safely while occupied. It weighs about 35 pounds. The chair was manufactured by the Stambaugh chair factory in Demorest.

Jesse was the eldest of 8 children, and was born in 1865 in Macon County, North Carolina. It appears that Jesse moved with his family to Habersham County in the late 1800s. He was married twice and had six children. Jesse was a census taker in the 1900 census for the Center Hill District, Habersham County - which would have included Mt. Airy.

The chair was submitted as an entry in response to a Government Request for Proposal to a United States Army bid. It arrived too late to be considered in the bid process. Even though it did not make the bid, there were apparently a number of chairs purchased by the U.S. Army for use in remote hospital settings.

Dr. John H. Talton of Lyons, GA generously gave his McConnell dental chair to Thomas J. McConnell, who in turned generously donated the Chair to the Habersham County Historical Society.