The Potteries of Trenton Society is set to present the 12th annual Trenton Ceramics Symposium on Saturday, April 18 at 9 a.m. The program will take place at the New Jersey State Museum Auditorium, 205 West State Street in Trenton.
This year’s symposium is titled, “Sanitation & Civilization: Trenton’s Contributions to the Progress of American Hygiene.” Keynote speaker Professor Daniel Gerling of Augustana College will explain the evolution of sanitary technology and show how the move from “outhouses” and “backhouses” to indoor toilets was enormously important in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in terms of public health, shifting gender roles and architectural trends.
The afternoon session will include Sally Lane’s exploration of the Trenton origins of a legendary White House bathtub, “Rub-a-dub-dub, Four Men in Taft’s Tub.” In addition, Ellen Denker, POTS board member and program chair will offer a brief discussion of the potters’ unions and the strike that had such an impact on labor relations in Trenton, transforming the city’s ceramics industry. Richard Hunter, of Hunter Research, will end with an overview of the sanitary manufacturing sites and how they fit in with the other manufacturing sites in the city.
The day will finish with a closing reception sponsored by the Trenton Museum Society to be held at Ellarslie, the Museum of the City of Trenton, in Cadwalader Park. Participants will be able to view the Trenton Central High School exhibit, which includes examples of Thomas Maddock’s Sons Company sanitary ware that was used to outfit the high school.
The event is open to the public. Cost is $35 if paid by April 3. Members of the Potteries of Trenton Society, Friends of the NJ State Museum, and Trenton Museum Society may attend for $30 if paid in advance. Tickets are $40 at the door. Registration includes all lectures, refreshments, lunch and a closing reception.
For tickets visit www.potteriesoftrenton.org or contact 609-695-0122 x 100 or president@potteriesoftrentonsociety.org.
