Pottery Capital
Zanesville, Ohio: The Pottery Capital of the United States
Zanesville, Ohio, has a long and rich history of pottery production. The city’s abundant natural resources, including clay and silica, made it an ideal location for pottery manufacturing. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Zanesville was home to a thriving art pottery industry, producing some of the most beautiful and sought-after pottery in the United States.
The history of pottery in Zanesville dates back to the early 1800s. In 1820, John and William Owens opened a pottery factory in the city. This was the first of many pottery factories that would be established in Zanesville over the next century.
The pottery industry in Zanesville really took off in the late 19th century. This was due in part to the influence of the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876, which introduced American audiences to the beauty and artistry of Japanese and European pottery. The exposition also helped to spark an interest in art pottery among American consumers.
Zanesville was well-positioned to take advantage of this growing interest in art pottery. The city had the natural resources needed to produce high-quality pottery, and it also had a pool of skilled potters and artists. As a result, Zanesville became known as the “pottery capital of the United States.”
Some of the most famous art pottery companies in Zanesville included the Roseville Pottery Company, the J.B. Owens Pottery Company, and the S.A. Weller Pottery Company. These companies produced a wide variety of pottery, including vases, bowls, figurines, and tableware. Their pottery was known for its beautiful designs and high quality.
The art pottery industry in Zanesville declined in the mid-20th century due to a number of factors, including the Great Depression and the rise of mass production. However, the city’s pottery tradition continues to this day. There are still a number of small pottery studios in Zanesville, and the city is home to the Zanesville Museum of Art, which has a large collection of art pottery.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of pottery in Zanesville, Ohio, I encourage you to visit the Zanesville Museum of Art. The museum has a permanent exhibit on the city’s pottery industry, and it also hosts a number of special events and programs related to pottery.
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