Rookwood Pottery was the country’s first female-owned and operated large manufacturer Founder of Rookwood Pottery Maria Longworth Nichols Storer was born in 1849 into one of Cincinnati’s wealthiest families at the time. She gained an early love of fine arts, with childhood hobbies that included painting and playing the piano. As an adult, she became the first woman in the United States to found a music festival thanks to her efforts raising funds for the Cincinnati May Festival, which continues to this day. In 1873, she began learning how to paint china from ceramic chemist Karl Langenbeck, and she later enrolled in what’s now the Art Academy of Cincinnati to study china-painting. And in 1880, Nichols founded the famous Rookwood Pottery Company, becoming the first woman in Cincinnati to own a shop like this. Photo: Provided by Rookwood Pottery

Union Terminal bookends Photo: Provided by Rookwood Pottery

Appraiser Riley Humler, a leading Rookwood Pottery expert and frequent appraiser on Antiques Roadshow, will be in Cincinnati on Saturday, Aug. 3 to offer free valuations of Rookwood pieces by appointment. You can bring up to five Rookwood pieces and appraisal spots are available by booking online or calling 513-381-2510.

If you don’t have anything for Humler to examine, there’s still treasure to be seen. The pottery is offering the rare chance for guests to explore the archives. Go behind-the-scenes to view more than 3,200 pottery molds, including pieces from Rookwood’s founding in 1880, for just $10. 

The event takes place 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 3 at 1920 Race St., Over-the-Rhine.

This article appears in Jul 24-31, 2019.

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