SMITHFIELD – On Saturday, May 17, the Johnston County Museum will host a book-signing and one-day exhibition of pottery made near Smithfield from 1927 to 1942. Stephen Compton of Raleigh will bring a sampling of his vast collection of Herman Cole’s Smithfield Art Pottery. He will also sign copies of his book, North Carolina’s Hillside Pottery and Smithfield Art Pottery: The Pottery With Two Names, which is currently for sale in the museum’s gift shop.
Located near the banks of the Neuse River on Highway 301 (formerly known as Route 22), Cole’s roadside operation shipped out as many as 2,000 pieces each week and did a booming business with passing motorists in the days when 301 was a main traffic artery between New York and Miami. Cole came from a celebrated pottery-making family and joined forces with artist and entrepreneur Anna M. Graham of New York to start the Smithfield business. He pulled in some of the state’s most talented potters to help keep up the huge demand for their products.
“We are thrilled to have Steve Compton come to Smithfield to talk about his book and show off some of his amazing collection,” says Heritage Center and Museum Director Todd Johnson. “If anyone misses the May 17 event, we have a very nice collection of Cole pottery that visitors can see year-round, thanks to local collector and Heritage Center patron Art Andrews.”
This is a free public event. The museum is located at 329 E. Market Street in Downtown Smithfield and is open from 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday. For more information, call the Johnston County Museum at 919-938-5912, or visit www.jcheritagecenter.org.
