WEDGWOOD
MUSEUM & VISITOR
CENTER
250 Years of Staffordshire Pottery Heritage
One of the first gifts
I brought home to my mother from England on a touring trip from my
school days was a small dish of Wedgwood ceramic – a
pale shade of blue with white relief, the signature of most famous name
in English ceramics. 2009 was a banner year for Wedgwood, in a coupe
of was. The famed name in pottery with its popular tourist stop in Staffordshire
celebrated its 250th Anniversary, and the company went bankrupt – or
as its called in Britain – Administration. Not to fear, the company
was purchased by an investment fund and continues, though shy a few employees.
Wedgwood had another reason to celebrate, it’s Wedgewood Museum
in a brand new building opened in 2008, operated by a trust, won a prize
from the UK Art Fund for its remarkable displays of the art and history
of English Ceramics. For tourists to the company’s factory headquarters
in Stoke-On-Trent, activities for visitors now focus on the museum and
visitors center.
Josiah
Wedgwood first opened his pottery business in 1759 at Ivy House in
Stoke-on-Trent. His distinctive earthenware became hugely popular,
known as Queens Ware in honor of Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George
III (yes, he of the revolution). Josiah success as a maker of dishware
for royalty allowed him to purchase a large section of land in the village
of Barlaston, just south of Stoke-on-Trent for his personal estate. The
factory moved to a new works on the property called Etruria, where with
his new partner Thomas Bentley, Josiah Wedgwood innovated new ceramic
manufacturing techniques. Until his death in 1795. The works remained
there for 180 years as the Wedgwood name and brand continued its reputation
as the premier name in the field, making fine table wares for royal and
illustrious patrons from the Empress of Russia to American Presidents.
In 1938, a new factory was built on the Wedgwood Estate where the museum
and factory visitor center now accommodate thousands of visitors. In
1987, Wedgwood merged with Waterford Crystal (see Waterford
Crystal Factory Tour).
The Wedgwood Museum
The museum
follows the chronological story of Wedgwood and the company he founded,
feature
magnificent examples of the skill and artistry developed
over generations which kept Wedgwood at the pinnacle of taste and fashion
for 150 years. Beginning in 1730 when Josiah Wedgwood was born to the
present day, the collection of paintings, documents and some of the finest
examples of the treasures of the potters art, from dishware to vases
are displayed on two modern floors, where you’ll find Wedgwood
innovations from Blue Botanical print dishware to Black Basalt and the
Bone China
service from the White House of Theodore Roosevelt. Interactive stations
allow researching the long line of Wedgwood products. The Museum is open
every day except the week of Christmas to New Year.
Wedgwood Visitor Center
The Visitor Center
at Wedgwood requires a separate admission from the museum. Here you’ll
be shown a 20 minute movie on the history of Josiah Wedgwood, the company
he created and the art and techniques he
and the artists who followed developed into the distinctive world renowned
icon of earthenware. In the exhibition area, craftsmen demonstrate the
techniques and skills of pottery making, with visitors allowed to try
their hand at the pottery wheel, both for children and adults. Some of
the hands on experiences or painting a Jasper Vase require an additional
charge. The final part of the tour examines the joining of the Wedgwood
with Royal Doulton companies. The Wedgwood Center has two shops where
products, seconds, unique cameo jewelry and gifts can be purchased.
Visiting Wedgewood Museum Stoke-On-Trent
The restaurant in
the visitors center, the Ivy House, where home style food is served
on Wedgwood China – of course, and the shops can
be accessed without admission fee to the tour. The Wedgwood facility
can get very busy with tour busses and a full parking lot on weekends
and the summer season. Admission to the Visitor Center Tour is £6.25
for adults. A combined ticket to the visitor center and the museum is £9.50.
A family ticket is available. The Wedgwood facility is located in the
midst of a 200 acre estate, 10 minutes off junction 15 of the M6. By
train the Wedgwood center is a 15 minute drive from the Stoke-on-Trent
Station requiring a taxi ride. Aside from Wedgwood there are a number
of other Staffordshire pottery makers that can be visited around Stoke-On-Trent,
but finding them requires and good map, available from the tourism office
in town, and some time to explore. © Bargain
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