CINCINNATI

In 1880,  Maria Longworth Nichols founded the Rookwood Pottery Company in Cincinnati and it became the home of pottery in America. She set up a kiln east of town and began producing specialized ceramics similar to what she had seen being produced in Europe and Asia.  Maria was the first woman in America to found a manufacturing company.

She hired artists and decorators to produce pottery and ceramic tiles which were both functional and artistic. Her artisans developed a glaze like no other.  After ten years, she expanded and built large kilns in a building atop Mt. Adams overlooking the city. The company developed it's own style and was highly successful world wide until the Great Depression enveloped the country.

Today, the company still exists and is flourishing under new ownership. It is located in the Over The Rhine area on the north side of the central business district and is owned by Martin and Marilyn Wade.  The manufacturing facility is on Race Street and available for tours each day.  Check out their website:  www.rookwood.com

Pottery produced by Rookwood in the Mt. Adams kilns is highly sought-after and valued by antique collectors.  You can see a great representation of Rookwood products in the Cincinnati Art Museum which has a wing dedicated to it.
👍