ETHS publishes Tennessee Turned: Earthenware and Stoneware made in East Tennessee, 1800-1900

A catalog based on the Museum of East Tennessee History’s 1996 exhibition Made in East Tennessee: Pottery

Authored By Adam Alfrey on April 3, 2024

Delve into the rich heritage of East Tennessee pottery with the East Tennessee Historical Society’s latest release, Tennessee Turned: Earthenware and Stoneware Made in East Tennessee, 1800-1900. Authored by renowned pottery authority Carole Carpenter Wahler (1937-2023), this captivating book documents the pottery displayed in the Museum of East Tennessee History’s 1996 exhibition Made in East Tennessee: Pottery. Through exhaustive comparative study of these works, Wahler provides groundbreaking attributions to makers, revises dates of production, and applies a consistent vocabulary for describing the details that East Tennessee potters wrought into their wares.

Notable highlights from the 240-page Tennessee Turned include:

  • An introduction by J. Roderick Moore, Director Emeritus of the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum, Ferrum College, Virginia
  • An essay by Wahler on East Tennessee pottery making, collecting, and documentation
  • Detailed black-and-white images of 206 pots, presented by county of production, plus 26 color plates
  • Comprehensive “Notes” and “Glossary” sections in which Wahler applies new terminology to describe East Tennessee pottery

“The heart of this publication is the ‘Notes’ section,” says Adam H. Alfrey, Assistant Director for Historical Services, Knox County Public Library, who served as editor and designer for the publication. “We are the beneficiaries of Carole’s countless hours of looking at and comparing these pots. She crafted a new vocabulary and wrote meticulous descriptions that breathe life and vibrancy into these wonderful ties to the past.”

Whether you are a seasoned collector, a decorative arts scholar, a history enthusiast, or simply captivated by the beauty of handmade crafts, Tennessee Turned promises to enlighten. A cursory turning of its pages allows for the evolution of forms, glazes, and firing methods that define East Tennessee pottery between 1800-1900 to become immediately evident.

Available in the East Tennessee Historical Society’s Museum Shop and online starting April 1, 2024. The catalog retails for $40.00 (US) plus $12.00 shipping. Members of the East Tennessee Historical Society receive a 10% discount. Wholesale pricing and reduced pricing for museums, libraries, and other educational institutions are available by contacting 865-215-8824 or [email protected]. Proceeds from the sale of Tennessee Turned support continued research in areas connected to Carole C. Wahler’s interests.

Do not miss your chance to own a first edition of Tennessee Turned, a piece of East Tennessee’s storied past!

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