About Us
The Potteries of Trenton Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and preservation of Trenton's ceramic past.
What's New?
Next Symposium April 2009
Art Revealed by Industry:
Painters, Sculptors and Designers Create Trenton’s Ceramics
Trenton's ceramics — whether useful or ornamental — begin with aesthetic concepts generated by painters, sculptors, and designers. The 2009 ceramics symposium co-sponsored by the Potteries of Trenton Society and the New Jersey State Museum will examine the role of artists and designers in developing the wares produced in Trenton.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
New Jersey State Museum Auditorium
205 West State Street, Trenton, NJ
» Directions to the New Jersey State Museum
Trenton Driving Tour
A driving tour of nine Tile & Terra Cotta sites in Trenton. After you take a tour of Trenton's tile and terra cotta sites please fill out our survey to comment on your experience. We are developing a brochure of sites related to Trenton's historic ceramic industry and want to know if this is a useful format.
See More Photos
An image gallery feature has been added to the website, where you can
view slides from symposiums--Mayer's Majolica, New Jersey Stoneware,
Richards' Kiln site, and Trenton Rockingham. There are also maker's
marks from Trenton potteries, historic Lenox factory buildings and a
section for comments on each of the photos.
Who Are We?
The Potteries of Trenton Society (POTS) is a New Jersey non-profit corporation. Our mission is to promote the study and appreciation of Trenton´s ceramic industry by:
- Gathering and preserving information related to the industry
- Sponsoring research projects, seminars and conferences
- Promoting industry-related heritage tourism activities
Why Trenton?
In the 19th and early 20th centuries Trenton was a center of American ceramic manufacture, and its products were shipped all over the country, literally from coast to coast. Among the Trenton pottery industry’s accomplishments:- The city was one of two major ceramic producing centers in the United States, rivaled only by East Liverpool, Ohio
- One of Trenton’s ceramic leaders (Thomas Maddock) refined the flush mechanism for the toilet
- Several firms in Trenton perfected mass production of sanitary ware (bathtubs, sinks and toilets), which until recently continued in the area today (American Standard in Hamilton)
- J. L. Mott and Son, a Trenton firm, developed the built-in bathtub, an innovation that quickly became popular as it made cleaning the bathroom easier
- Products from Trenton potteries, notably Ott & Brewer and Lenox, won numerous awards and recognition at expositions and world fairs
- Trenton has a long tradition of art pottery that continues to this day (Boehm and Cybis)
- Many fine examples of Trenton wares are on display at major museums across the country
Contact Information
Potteries of Trenton Society
120 W. State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
E-mail
Please note, however, that we are not able to identify, appraise, or provide information on ceramic objects. Visitors to the site should consult with an appraiser or antique dealer:
American Society of Appraisers
P.O. Box 17265
Washington, DC 20041
800-272-8258
Appraisers Association of America
386 Park Avenue South
Suite 2000
New York, NY 10016
212-889-5404
Thank You.