Working pottery |
Local clays, natural gas and a railway
paved the way for Medicine Hat’s
emergence as a major centre of the clay
products industry in Canada during the early
20th century. Brick, pottery, chimney flue and
sewer pipes poured out of its factories on rail
to cities across Canada and into the United
States. The Historic Clay District, as it is
known locally, preserves a unique industrial
landscape featuring an operating brick plant
and two pottery factories that still resonate
with the persistence and industriousness of
the people who worked here.
Medalta Potteries was established in 1912 and
its sturdy crocks, bowls, artware and hotel
crockery were familiar household items cross
the country. Today Medalta ware is a prized
collector’s item. Explore the plant and learn
how the age-old craft of pottery making was
adapted to suit mass production requirements.
Stand inside one of the four circular kilns.
Stop in at the gift shop and buy a piece to take
home. Let the kids sink their hands into wet
clay in the Children’s Clay Area.
The Historic Clay District is a work in
progress. Once threatened with demolition
it is emerging as one of Canada’s foremost
industrial museums and cultural centres
dedicated to clay. The working pottery, where
you can watch the skilled craftsmen produce
replicas of Medalta ware and the gallery for
contemporary ceramics are scheduled to
open in late 2007. Across the street the Hycroft
China plant that was opened in 1937 as a state
of the art plant and where little has changed
will tell another part of the story.
Medalta Potteries |
The Historic Clay District is open for tours
year round and is located at 713 Medalta Ave.
S.E., in Medicine Hat. For more information,
please call: 403-529-1070 or check out the
website at www.medalta.org
Services: interpretive tours, school
programs, gift shop, parking, walking trails.
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