Louisville Stoneware facts for kids
Stoneware & Co. is a company in Louisville, Kentucky, that makes beautiful pottery. It's one of the oldest companies in the United States that makes stoneware, having started way back in 1815! Over the years, it has been known by different names, like the J. B. Taylor Company and Louisville Stoneware.
This company is famous for decorating its pottery with fun themes. You can find designs for the Kentucky Derby horse race and Christmas. They also have other cool themes like Noah's Ark, flowers like Primrose, and even pears! If you want something special, they can make personalized items too. Besides dishes, they have also created things like bird baths and bird feeders.
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History of Stoneware & Co.
How the Company Started
The company began in 1815 in Louisville, Kentucky. It was first called Lewis Pottery, named after its founder, Jacob Lewis. Over many years, the company changed owners several times. It also had different names, including Bauer Pottery, Cherokee Pottery, and Louisville Pottery.
Changes in Ownership and Name
In 1938, a man named John B. Taylor bought the company. He changed its name to the J. B. Taylor Company. This name lasted for many decades. After John B. Taylor passed away in 1970, a ceramics engineer named John Robertson bought the company. He then renamed it Louisville Stoneware. Some of the old designs from those early days are still made today!
Unique Designs and Famous Artists
The artists at Stoneware & Co. have always loved to try new designs. You might even find some very old and unusual pieces in antique shops. The company also makes special pottery for events or other businesses. Their most famous special pieces are made to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. They have also created designs for well-known places like Cracker Barrel Restaurants and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
The stoneware often has different patterns and hand-painted pictures. Some popular designs include Bachelor Button flowers, Country Flowers, Hummingbirds, and the "12 Days of Christmas." They also have a Noah's Ark theme. Besides dishes, they make decorative items like castles, birdhouses, and pet dishes.
One very well-known potter who worked for John B. Taylor was Mary Alice Hadley. She was so good that she started her own company in 1939. Her pottery, known as M. A. Hadley, became very popular because of its creative hand-painted patterns. Hadley Pottery is still making beautiful pieces today!
Recent Years and New Plans
Christy Lee Brown bought the company in 1997. For ten years, from 1997 to 2007, Louisville Stoneware sold about $3 million worth of pottery each year. During this time, the business changed from mostly selling to other businesses (wholesale) to mostly selling directly to people (retail). By 2007, most of their sales were in Louisville and Kentucky. The company hoped to sell more across the country through the internet and national advertising. There were even plans to open new stores in cities like Chicago, Illinois, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana.
In March 2007, Louisville Stoneware had to make some changes and reduced its staff. After this, they updated their visitor's center. In July 2007, Stephen A. Smith bought Louisville Stoneware from Christy Lee Brown, who wanted to retire. Since 2007, Stephen A. Smith has continued to own the company. They have expanded where their stoneware is sold, adding more locations in Louisville and other cities like Bardstown, Kentucky, Owensboro, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio.
If you're interested, you can even take a tour of the factory on weekdays by making an appointment!
Stoneware & Co. Products
The special clay used by Stoneware & Co. comes from western Indiana. This clay is incredibly old, possibly as old as 250 million years! The dishes made at the factory are very useful. You can safely use them in ovens, microwave ovens, and dishwashers. They are also great at keeping your food warm!
Gallery
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The interior of the Louisville Stoneware visitors center (2008)
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Display at Louisville Stoneware (2008)
See also
