Clay Works: Industry to Arts at Western Illinois Museum

Upcoming Exhibitions


Sign of the Times
May 13 - August 20, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clay Works: Industry to Arts

September 1 through November 21, 2009


In late 1870s and 1880s, at the height of the industrialization of the clay industry, West Central Illinois found itself playing a major role in the development and growth of the industry.  By 1904, Illinois ranked 4th in the United States in the manufacturing of clay products and many local potters were key contributors to establishing the state as a leader in the industry.  Clay Works: Industry to Arts takes a look at the people who established and worked in these companies along with the opportunities and a new way of life the industry brought to the post Civil War community.

 

The late 1880’s saw a shift from the small, family-oriented workshops with skilled potters to a highly automated factory system with opportunities for unskilled labor.  The region found itself well suited for clay work with the essential raw materials: quality clay, ample coal and willing farm hands looking to pick up extra work. The exhibit’s displays are organized by company, providing a look into what they manufactured, production methods they introduced and developed, where they were located along with details of their successes and failures.

 

The growth of this industry brought a change in living conditions in the home and community.  The impact of what was being produced in the local factories can be seen in the improvement in the construction of homes, streets and household products.  On exhibit are a number of these products that were commonly used in the region.