An Article About the Roadside Craftsmen Published in the June 23, 1932, Issue of The Livonia Gazette

In the June 23, 1932, edition of The Livonia Gazette, the lead article highlights an unusual business venture by a Hemlock, New Yorkk resident named C. E. Wemett (1886-1961). After traveling through the South and being captivated by the primitive, hand-fashioned pottery techniques he saw there, Wemett decided to bring that "Old South" aesthetic to East Bloomfield, New York. He established a workshop known as "Roadside Craftsmen" in an old church building along Route 5, aiming to create a space where traditional craftsmanship could be preserved and shared with the public.

The operation was a unique blend of historical tradition and regional collaboration. To ensure authenticity, Wemett hired Guy Daugherty (1879-1958), a skilled potter from Texas who was famous for his demonstrations at the State Fair. Daughterly utilized a horse-powered clay mill to process the raw material, and then hand-threw various vessels with remarkable speed and precision. The project also fostered a connection with the local academic community, as students from the State School of Ceramics at Alfred assisted with the specialized glazing and firing processes, adding a touch of modern technical knowledge to the antique methods.

Beyond just simple pots, the workshop was a hub for diverse hand-crafted goods. While it was well-known for its ceramics—including distinctive "flower frogs" with a signature brown glaze—it also featured hand-turned woodwork made from native maple and exotic tropical woods, as well as hand-woven textiles created on a traditional loom. Wemett’s daughter-in-law, Mrs. Norris Wemett (1913-2005), became a key figure in the business, helping to turn the roadside shop into a well-regarded destination for high-quality, artisanal items.

This venture was more than just a retail shop; it was an early example of "heritage tourism" in the Finger Lakes region. By creating a working museum atmosphere where travelers could watch clay transformed into art, Wemett successfully tapped into a growing public nostalgia for handmade goods in an increasingly industrial age. The article captures a moment when the traditional ways of the South were transplanted into Upstate New York, leaving a lasting legacy in the local history of American ceramics.

Note: For more information about the Roadside Craftsmen - see a feature story I wrote published on page 45 in the June 30 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, Guy Daugherty: A Roadside Craftsmen Potter: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2023/06/new-published-story-in-antiques-and.html.

Also see my recently published two-volume, ninth book, titled, America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York: https://historicbeverly.net/product/americas-great-awakening-and-migration-the-red-earthenware-of-western-new-york/.

Article About the Roadside Craftsmen in New York

Published in the June 23, 1932, Issue of The Livonia Gazette

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