New exhibit at Matthews Heritage Museum - North Carolina Pottery: A Tradition in Clay

Matthews Heritage Museum, 232 North Trade Street, Matthews, opened a new exhibit, North Carolina Pottery: A Tradition in Clay, on March 22nd, 2021. It will remain on display until August 28th, 2021.

Read on for information on visiting Matthews Heritage Museum, as well as information on the new exhibit.

Learn about free days at other Charlotte area museums here.

Admission is just $4 for adults and $2 for ages 11-17. Kids 10 and under are free. The museum is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m.. to 4:30 p.m.

Matthews Heritage Museum offers free admission the first Saturday of every month.

The museum is currently limited to 5 people at a time, so reservations are recommended. Masks are required.

Here’s some information about the museum.

Matthews Heritage MuseumHoused in the 1880 Massey-Clark House, one of the oldest buildings in downtown Matthews, the Matthews Heritage Museum is a step back in time. In the Early Commerce Gallery learn about King Cotton and the early days of the railroad. Imagine cashing a check at the Bank of Matthews, and see part of the original bank interior on display. Listen to telephone switchboard stories while looking at an old crank phone and switchboard.

North Carolina Pottery: A Tradition in Clay

Pinch pot and cup swirlware by B.B. Craig, Vase by Vernon Owens of Jugtown, and Catawba Owl figure by Sara Ayers. Photo by Matthews Heritage Museum

The exhibit features pottery from several areas in the state known for their production including: the eastern Piedmont (Chatham County and the Seagrove area of Randolph, Moore and Montgomery Counties), the Catawba Valley (Catawba, Lincoln and Union Counties) and Buncombe County. Additionally, we will have pieces from Sanford and Outen Pottery from Matthews, as well as some pieces from Catawba Native Americans.

North Carolina’s internationally renowned pottery tradition begins with native inhabitants forming local clay into functional pots and ceremonial vessels. European settlers in the eighteenth century brought their techniques from England, Germany and elsewhere to create utilitarian pieces to satisfy the demands of the local people who could not afford or did not have access to imported ceramics. When utilitarian pieces were no longer needed, inventive potters developed new forms and glazes and created a new market for art pottery.

This exhibit features both historical utilitarian pieces from the 19th century as well as contemporary art pottery from the 1980s to 2020! Among the potteries on display are B. B. Craig, Pisgah Forest, Cole Pottery, Crystal King, Jugtown, and Outen Pottery. A number of miniature pots and jugs, pumpkins and a giraffe, as well as a “pottery puzzle” are featured. It is a good opportunity to experience a wide variety of styles without having to travel across the state.

Lifestyle Gallery
Children and adults will enjoy exploring the Lifestyles Gallery, imagining a time before electricity and running water. Schools were a vital part of the community. Porches were the center of living, particularly in the summer in an effort to stay cool. Learn what was different in the kitchen at the turn of the century.

Community Gallery
The Community Gallery allows you to discover the many activities that happened at the local drug store. You can also investigate the early set up of the doctor’s office or hear wonderful stories about the local pool. A display of Outen Pottery, hand thrown pots made from local clay, is of great interest.

Snippets from the Matthews Remembered and Outen Pottery DVD play for the audience in the Lifestyles and Community Galleries. The hallway panels give visitors insight to early Matthews.