Ohio Stoneware utilizes the former Hartstone Pottery building as one of its facilities. The brick structure was built in 1902. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

Zanesville and Muskingum County have long been known for its pottery products, going back more than 150 years. In fact, the region was once known as the Pottery Capital of the World.

The region’s clay, transportation and water resources, as well as its location, were ideal for producing and distributing high-quality ceramics and pottery.

Among the area’s famed producers were McCoy/Brush (1886-1982), Hull (1905-1986), Roseville (1890-1953), Robinson Ransbottom (1900-2005), Weller (1871-1948), J.B. Owens (1891-1923), Mosaic Tile (1894-1967) and Zanesville Stoneware (1887-2002).

Most of the region’s pottery and ceramics producers were out of business by the end of the 20th century, but there are still pottery producers in the area that continue the tradition.

Burley Pottery in Roseville has produced quality pottery, planters and birdbaths since 1923. Customers can visit their factory store at 455 Gordon St., Roseville, to select items or shop online.

Butler Pottery, at 465 Main St., Duncan Falls, is an artisan pottery that produces colorfully decorated soup/salad bowls and much more. Working in terra cotta, pottery owner/operator Max Butler concentrates primarily on open forms and vessels highlighted with his expressive brush decoration.

Rosehill Design, located in Roseville, is an artisan pottery that produces beautiful Majolica, porcelain, stoneware and textiles. Pottery owners/operators Maddy Fraioli and Howard Peller formerly owned and operated Fioriware Art Pottery in Zanesville.

Fraioli is a master on the wheel, and hand throws most of the forms. She does most throwing in the warmer seasons, and hooks rugs and weaves during the winter months. This creative activity is informed by an affection for form, color, pattern, texture, and utility.

Visitors are welcome to browse the gallery at the farm, 7680 Rosehill Road, Roseville, by appointment. Make an appointment by calling 740-252-7256 or emailing at mfraioli@columbus.rr.com. 

Another major current pottery producer, Ohio Stoneware, is located at 1719 Dearborn St. in Zanesville. The company, founded in 2005, includes the Hartstone Pottery brand, which goes back to the 1970s.

In addition to its manufacturing facilities, Ohio Stoneware includes a retail outlet. Operating out of the historic Hartstone Pottery factory, the Ohio Stoneware Factory Outlet is filled with dinnerware, kitchenware, bakeware, crockery, garden ware, pet feeders and more products all manufactured in Zanesville.

The company creates everything from crocks, bowls and other items for everyday use to beautifully decorative pieces that can be passed down for generations.

Ohio Stoneware’s retail store consists of two stories — the first floor with thousands of hand-painted items from unique table settings and accent pieces to mugs for that perfect cup of coffee. Everything on the first floor is first quality and considered unblemished by the company’s standards.

One floor below, in the “Seconds Basement,” can be found pallets of ware to sort through with minor blemishes. These items are offered at 50 percent off first quality pricing.

About Hartstone Pottery

Hartstone was first produced in 1976 in Chatham, New Jersey, by Pat and Sharon Hart. Their first product was a stoneware cookie mold. In 1983, manufacturing was moved to Zanesville, and the company began producing hand-decorated gifts and tableware. Ohio Stoneware acquired Hartstone in 2018.

Hartstone operated in a building built in 1902 that was once operated by the J.B. Owens Pottery Company. The handsome old brick, post and beam building shows the scars of many alterations and is now used by Ohio Stoneware.

Get a look inside Ohio Stoneware in the video above. If the video does not appear in the email, please use this link — https://youtu.be/ksNuC1FbZig (Note: In video, decorator states she paints 20 pieces per week, she meant to say 20 pieces per day.)

Visiting Ohio Stoneware

Guests to Ohio Stoneware are offered employee-led tours through the manufacturing floor on weekdays. Ohio Stoneware also offers ceramic painting classes; participants can have their work fired for taking home.

Also on weekdays, a decorator demonstrates the pottery decorating process to customers. Groups of 10-plus or buses are welcome by appointment.

Hours at the retail store and manufacturing facility on Dearborn Street are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.

Ohio Stoneware’s online retail store adds products as they become available. For more information go to their website (https://stonewareoutlet.com/) or call (740) 450-4415, ext. 777.

Here are pottery retailers in the Zanesville area: Zanesville Pottery, 7395 East Pike (U.S. 40), Norwich; Ohio Pottery, 1905 W. Main St., Zanesville (near Exit 152, I-70). Ohio Pottery Norwich, 8450 East Pike, is permanently closed.

Interested in pottery-making classes in your area? Here’s a list of places where you can learn.

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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