Peabody Historical Society presents:
Redware
and the Revolution!
Join us!
Family day to celebrate local pottery history: Redware pottery demonstration, pinch pot activity,
author talk, and tour of the museum’s collections!
Saturday, March 28, 2026.
2-4:30 pm
38 Felton St. Peabody, MA 01960
Fees for the entire day: $5 per adult, FREE for members and youth under 18.
Speakers
Rick Hamelin is a master potter, specializing in Early American-inspired redware pottery. Honing his skills since 1976, Mr. Hamelin works with museums, provides demonstrations, and offers lectures across New England to promote appreciation for this form of pottery.
Justin Thomas, based in Newburyport, Massachusetts, is a collector, researcher, and writer, with a focus on American utilitarian pottery production. He has worked with the pottery collections at numerous archaeology university departments, museums, and private collections across the country. Mr. Thomas’ forthcoming book is titled An Early Industry of Household Wares: The Red Earthenware of Salem Village, South Danvers, Peabody and Salem, Massachusetts.
Schedule
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Rick Hamelin will present a pottery demonstration along with a discussion of specific potters from our Revolutionary War history.Rick will facilitate a pinch pot activity open to all ages at the cost of $1. ATM on-site. | Smith Barn Carriage Room
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Justin Thomas, an archaeologist, will be doing an author talk on his forthcoming book on Peabody pottery, and will provide a guided tour of our collection of redware pottery. |Nathaniel Felton Jr. House
Location
Smith Barn Carriage Room, 38 Felton Street, Peabody, MA 01960
Nathaniel Felton Jr. House, 43 Felton Street, Peabody, MA 01960
Event Details
Peabody was at the heart of the Colonial red earthenware industry roughly between 1770-1850. Potters from around New England used to come here to train and to source the high quality clay from the North River. “Danvers-ware” and “Danvers China” are just some of the names associated with this region’s pottery heritage. Join redware potter Rick Hamelin and archaeologist Justin Thomas on this fun and informative afternoon!
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Peabody Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
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