This photo shows the inside burners at the south end. Hycroft owned four gas wells on this property to supply the fuel. The north opening in the tunnel that you walked through is where workers unloaded and loaded the kiln cars. Everything in the plant was geared toward feeding this kiln's never ending appetite for ware. Product coming out of the kiln was very hot and handling it was an incredibly demanding job.
As ware traveled slowly through the tunnel on the cars, it experienced a rise and fall in temperature corresponding to the speed at which it moved through the hot zone. Over the years this kiln would have been used to fire at a variety of temperatures ranging from 1800F to 2200F. It could take 36-48 hours for ware to make the complete circle from start to finish. Large pipes and immense and noisy exhaust fans recirculated heat and removed gases during the firing. Skilled workers carefully controlled the temperature and atmosphere at the hot zone.
Pottery workers of the time commonly endured unpleasant conditions. They often worked in intense heat, high humidity, constant noise and vibration, dusty air, poor lighting, and even had to walk on hot floors. However this factory was considered very progressive for its time introducing comforts like water coolers, soft drink machines, broadcast music and radio programming, and excellent lighting.
The hand painted plates and ash trays on display here were made by Hycroft China during the 1960s and 70s. As you browse note the fine pure gold brushwork. Many of these pieces were done by one highly skilled decorator named Rose Stickle. Anyone who worked or visited remembers the never ending mountain of pottery waiting to be decorated and the distinctive smell of the liquid gold she painted on the pieces. Another interesting type of work done in Medicine Hat plants was called 'Lacquer ware". This type of decorative pottery that was painted, not glazed; see if you can pick it out.
Alberta Potteries, for example, has an interesting history. Jessie William Wyatt was a very bright and capable engineer and technician. With unintended bad timing he started Alberta Potteries at the beginning of the depression and struggled until 1936 when he left for Ontario. HC Yuill then took over and ran it until 1966. Mac MacArthur, Shorty Matusku, Luke Lindoe, and many other colorful people made for an exciting pottery history here. Their accounts are outlined in a coil-bound book named "The Kilns of Southeastern Alberta" by Ron Getty. It is available in our gift shop.
The trade of these collectables began with the publishing of a book on the subject in 1975. The trade has received a real boost in the past five years because of the activities of this facility. What makes a piece collectable? Decorated finishes, especially hand painted designs or clearly defined stenciled patterns make a piece much more desirable. Western designs are popular. Functional items like crocks or teapots that can still be used today are popular. Nostalgic items such as those used in pioneer kitchens are valuable. Commemorative pieces are also highly sought after. Also, as with any other collectable, rarity is a big factor, especially if the piece has clear markings that make it identifiable.
The pottery on display here is from the five companies already mentioned: Hycroft, P.I.E., Alberta Potteries under Jessue Wyatt, Alberta Potteries under HC Yuill ,and Medicine Hat Potteries. We also hold the largest museum collection of Medalta and Sunburst pottery and much of it is on display at the newly restored Medalta complex about one half kilometer from this building. This collection is a must-see for any aspiring collector. Admission tickets to the Medalta Historic Site can be purchased in the Clay Products Interpretive Centre gift shop.
8. Please remember not to touch any of the pieces and keep your children
close at hand. When you are finished browsing please proceed to the kiosk 4.
