Historical Society Hosting Redware Experts in Talk Wednesday

Earthenware – used extensively for pottery tableware – was a major New England-based industry from the 17th to 19th centuries. While it was produced in all six states after the American Revolution, Charlestown was the dominant supplier before 1775. At least 40 potters worked in Charlestown between 1700 and 1775 due in large part because Charlestown was a good source of clay, which was used by potters as well as by local brick makers. And the name redware? Many of the tableware turned red due to the considerable amount of iron oxide in the clay.

Joe Bagley, City of Boston archaeologist and Justin Thomas, scholarly researcher and Redware expert, will discuss the history, growth and disappearance of redware produced in Charlestown in a presentation from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the Bunker Hill Monument Museum, 43 Monument Ave.

Bring pieces of pottery or other earthenware, if you would like to learn more from the experts. The talk is sponsored by the Charlestown Historical Society and is open to the public at no charge.