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During the nineteenth century, Catawba Valley pottery was both a regional and national style. In 1987, renowned Catawba Valley potters Kim Ellington and Burlon Craig partnered with Dr. Bob Hart to construct the Hart Square Groundhog Kiln in the authentic Catawba Valley tradition. Construction took approximately eight months and required over 8,000 bricks. Its first firing occurred in November 1987. Since that time, many famous Catawba Valley potters have fired their works at Hart Square.
Groundhog kilns are unique to the Southeastern United States, and few are left. Dr. Hart’s vision to construct a groundhog kiln not only maintained the region’s folk pottery tradition, it allowed it to flourish. Firing pottery in groundhog kilns is a tradition over two centuries old - a significant tradition preserved through Hart Square. To maintain this heritage, the Hart Square Groundhog Kiln must be stabilized and rebuilt.
The Groundhog Kiln is fired annually at the Hart Square Festival. The 37th Annual Living History Festival will be held on October 22, 2022. Without these urgent repairs and reconstruction, the kiln cannot be fired. Living historians and artisans will not be able to preserve the heritage of our region's folk pottery culture without your support!
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