| The pottery industry grew out of
the early farmer’s need for inexpensive containers and
tableware. Early potteries were only part-time operations.
Often owned by farmers, and worked between fall and
spring, these potteries coined the name “Bluebird”
because the production started when the bluebirds returned
from the south and the clay would be mined. Bluebird
potteries, such as Eal Run, Possum Hollow, Breadless,
Poverty Hollow, and Henpeck, became so predominant that by
1850 there were about 41 different potteries operating
three miles within the Ohio pottery museum in Crooksville.
Clay was mined nearby and prepared
for use by horsepower. The average Bluebird pottery
contained two kickwheels on a log building about 20 X 24
feet, having just two doors and two windows. The kilns
were round, 9 – 10.5 feet in diameter and 6 – 8 feet
high. They were made of either sandstone or firebrick and
had two fireboxes, one door and moon-shaped flues for
draft. Ware was placed on stoneware platters or
constructed to be placed on each other. Kilns held an
average of between 2,000 to 3,000 gallons.
The theories for why the companies
began to branch into making a more decorated ware were
varied. Some founding fathers were just driven by the need
to have the “best, most finished product.” Others were
motivated by the rising hobby of the genteel young ladies
who were painting lovely pictures on china. Still another
reason was the trend to move into the luxurious
surroundings in the cities as more and more wealth was
attained. Whatever the reasons, this area became well
known for its art potteries. Hull is just one of the
approximately 22 companies which existed and made ware
specifically for the adornment of the home.
In 1994, the first Hull convention
was organized by Joe and Betty Yonis and assisted by Kenny
and Linda Williams, Al and Nancy Dennis, and Stella Frash.
In 1996, the Hull association was formed with 90 members
and presently it has 813 nationwide. Today, as well as the
Crooksville Hull Convention, the association has expanded,
and now has a Midwest regional convention annually in
Western States.
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