Today's the Day! Potters on the Merrimac: A Century of New England Ceramics

Today is the big day! After a very successful opening night party last night, the Newburyport, Massachusetts Pottery exhibit, known as "Potters on the Merrimac: A Century of New England Ceramics," opens to the public this morning at 10:00 am at the Custom House Maritime Museum in Newburyport. This is an exhibit that I have dreamt of putting together for about a decade now, and the museum generously brought me on board as a guest curator, making this idea a reality.

I think this is a collection of extremely exciting pottery, all of which was made locally in the Newburyport area. There are wares that can positively be identified as production from the early-1760s right up through the artware made in the early twentieth century.

However, the aspect about this exhibit that makes me most proud is the selection of stoneware made by William Pecker (1758-1820) in the early-nineteenth century; an exhibit of this type of production has never been assembled before. And we have most of the best pieces in existence on display, including a monumental six-gallon jar and a jar that was published in the 2004 edition of Ceramics in America. There are less than 15 examples of Pecker's stoneware known today, and seven of those pieces can be seen in this exhibit, demonstrating a variety of production. There is also archaeology on display from the site of Pecker's stoneware business in Merrimacport.

Overall, these are the businesses targeted by the exhibit:

1) Daniel Bayley Pottery Company, ca. 1763-1792
2) William Pecker Pottery, ca. 1791-1820
3) James Chase Pottery, ca. 1820-1849
4) Phineas Chase Pottery, ca. 1849-1890
5) Merrimac Pottery Company, ca. 1897-1908

There is also a book that was published to coincide with this exhibit, featuring new research and many of the objects displayed. It is available in the museum's bookstore, as well through this link on Amazon.com.

A special event of interest is planned for Saturday October 5, 2019, where Massachusetts potter Rick Hamelin will demonstrate pottery production behind the Custom House building and along the picturesque Merrimack River. This event will compliment the exhibit, and will be both entertaining and extremely informative.

Potters on the Merrimac: A Century of New England Ceramics

Part of the Pottery Exhibit at the Custom House Maritime Museum in Newburyport, Mass.

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Part of the Pottery Exhibit at the Custom House Maritime Museum in Newburyport, Mass.

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The Exhibit Catalog is Available in the Museum's Bookstore and Through Amazon.com

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Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...