Historic Salem, Inc. and the Salem Athenaeum present Pottery Lecture “Keeper of Tradition” potter Rick Hamelin gives talk on how clay works were used on North Shore

Join Historic Salem, Inc. and the Salem Athenaeum at a fun lecture given by Massachusetts redware potter and historian Rick Hamelin. The lecture is on January 25, 2011 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at the Salem Athenaeum on 337 Essex Street in historic Salem, Massachusetts.

Lidded Redware Pitcher by Rick Hamelin

The clay industries of Salem, Massachusetts were established as early as 1629. Primarily in the villages of Beverly, Danvers and South Danvers (Peabody) these local clay works provided pottery, bricks and tilesfor household, agricultural and industrial use.  These wares were widely traded out of the bustling port, especially to islands in the Caribbean.  The height of the manufacture was between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War when local industrial production ended.

Co-presented by the Salem Athenaeum and Historic Salem, Inc., the story of the early potters, their lives, and wares will be presented by Rick Hamelin, a Massachusetts Humanities Scholar in Residence at the Peabody Historical Society and recognized Massachusetts Cultural Council “Keeper of Tradition” redware potter.  Rick has taught and worked in museums and art centers, and is currently demonstrating pottery

and lecturing throughout Massachusetts.

Tickets are $10.00 for members of Historic Salem, Inc. or Salem Athenaeum and $15.00 for nonmembers. Students can get in free with their student ID.  For information and to register, please contact Jean Marie Procious at the Salem Athenaeum at 978-744-2540 or at info@salemathenaeum.net.

For more information call 978-745-0799 or email info@historicsalem.org.