Abingdon Pottery Artware presented at the Illinois State Museum

Abingdon Pottery Artware presented at the Illinois State Museum

The Illinois State Museum will present a display of Abingdon Pottery Artware in the Museum lobby, August 10, 2007 through October 15, 2007. In keeping with the Illinois State Museum's commitment of preserving and interpreting Illinois' creative and industrial heritage, The Museum is exhibiting many pieces held by members of the Abingdon Pottery Collectors along side pieces from the Museum's collection. The two organizations share the goal of expanding the public's knowledge and appreciation of Abingdon Pottery, made in western Illinois. Abingdon Pottery presents a unique Illinois story of innovation and survival in the American market.

Abingdon Pottery was produced from 1934 to 1950 by the Artware Division of the Abingdon Sanitary Manufacturing Company which was founded in 1908 to produce plumbing fixtures. During the Great Depression, the demand for plumbing fixtures plunged forcing leadership at the Abingdon Sanitary Manufacturing Company to produce decorative pottery as an alternative source of income. Abingdon Pottery was extremely successful and marketed in gift shops and major department stores across the country. In 1945 the company changed its name to Abingdon Potteries, Inc., and a year later it was purchased by Briggs Industries, Inc., which operated the Abingdon plant until 2000. In 1950, amid the post-war construction boom, the company abandoned its pottery line to focus on and expand its more lucrative sanitary ware lines.

The Illinois State Museum's display of Abingdon Pottery will highlight its fascinating history and showcase 20 pieces of pottery. Their forms range from vases to cookie jars and whimsical pieces and include a wide variety of color, glaze and decoration. Unique to Abingdon Pottery was its process and materials. Wares were made of vitreous china using the same machinery and materials the plant formerly used for sanitary ware. In addition to Abingdon Pottery from the Illinois State Museum collection, the display will include pieces that have never before been presented in Springfield, borrowed from the Abingdon Pottery Collectors which is celebrating it thirtieth anniversary this year.

The Abingdon Pottery Artware display will be at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield from August 10 to October 15, 2007. The Illinois State Museum is located at 502 S. Spring St. (the corner of Spring and Edwards Streets.) in Springfield, and is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Parking is available nearby, and the building is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Pottery images are available upon request. 

General Information

Illinois State Museum
Founded 1877
The Illinois State Museum promotes discovery, learning, and an appreciation of Illinois' natural, cultural, and artistic heritage.
General Information: (217)782-7386
Director's Office: (217)782-7011
Interim Museum Director: Michael Wiant
Press Contact: michael.wiant@illinois.gov