Laura Taylor was born in Rosemeade Township in Ransom County, ND. She attended rural school and later attended Valley City State University. She taught in a rural school before she attending UND, taking arts and ceramics for three years. She taught in the WPA programs, a Federal Art program. In 1939 she was asked to demonstrate pottery at the New York World's Fair in the "World of Tomorrow Exposition".
Robert Hughes represented the Greater ND Association and was interested in starting his own pottery. He met Laura Taylor at the New York world's Fair and suggested a business venture. The Wahpeton Pottery was founded in 1940. The ND Capitol was the first piece of pottery made, with clay from the Mandan, ND area. Next she created animals, wheat and native flowers as usable items. Many were salt and pepper shakers, vases, and bowls.
In 1943 Robert and Laura were married. The Wahpeton Pottery later changed the name to the Rosemeade Pottery 1953. Howard Lewis, who worked in Dickinson, ND, became a partner and production manager. He later left the company to teach at NDSCS.
Joe McLaughlin was hired in 1956. White clay from Kentucky was used. After the war, sales declined as cheap pottery was being imported from Japan.
Laura became ill with cancer and passed away in 1959.
The pottery officially closed on July 1, 1985. The remaining pottery pieces were sold and the inventory that was left was moved to the museum.
Robert Hughes represented the Greater ND Association and was interested in starting his own pottery. He met Laura Taylor at the New York world's Fair and suggested a business venture. The Wahpeton Pottery was founded in 1940. The ND Capitol was the first piece of pottery made, with clay from the Mandan, ND area. Next she created animals, wheat and native flowers as usable items. Many were salt and pepper shakers, vases, and bowls.
In 1943 Robert and Laura were married. The Wahpeton Pottery later changed the name to the Rosemeade Pottery 1953. Howard Lewis, who worked in Dickinson, ND, became a partner and production manager. He later left the company to teach at NDSCS.
Joe McLaughlin was hired in 1956. White clay from Kentucky was used. After the war, sales declined as cheap pottery was being imported from Japan.
Laura became ill with cancer and passed away in 1959.
The pottery officially closed on July 1, 1985. The remaining pottery pieces were sold and the inventory that was left was moved to the museum.
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Visit our new virtual Rosemeade exhibit. View highlights of the collection and learn about the history of the pottery.
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