Two New Exhibits at the Blue Hill Library: International Dolls and Rowantrees Pottery

Two New Exhibits at the Blue Hill Library: International Dolls and Rowantrees Pottery


Blue Hill, Maine - Two new exhibits have opened at the Blue Hill Public Library this month, both related to Library benefactor, world traveler and patron of the arts Adelaide Pearson (1874-1960). Among Ms. Pearson’s many other accomplishments, she secured funding to build the Library’s brick building which was finished in 1940.

In the Larchwood children’s room case is an exhibit put together by children’s librarian Pat Horton, of international dolls that Pearson collected on her many trips abroad.  According to the display they date from before 1939. The exhibit is scheduled to the end of June.

The other exhibit, in the Howard Room cases, is a display of pottery, photographs and other artifacts depicting the history of the Rowantrees Pottery, founded by Miss Pearson in 1934.  Pearson had been holding art classes on her lawn, open to anyone in Hancock County, free, except if the student missed classes. According to an article posted in the display, Mahatma Gandhi, to whom Pearson referred as “my best friend” had convinced her to “make a business of the craft that had been fun for children in the art classes she held on her lawn.”

The display shows examples of pottery and tiles made throughout different periods of the pottery’s long history, as well as correspondence, photographs, notices, advertisements and other documents. A few of the pieces were made by Blue Hill artist Francis Hamabe (1917-2002).  The Rowantrees exhibit will be up through the end of July.  The exhibit was assembled by Penny Ricker, Anita Babson, both of whom have a lifetime of knowledge about the pottery, with help from BHPL staff member, Ann Boudreaux.  It is dedicated to the memory of Sheila Varnum, who recently passed away and spent her life working at, and eventually owning Rowantrees Pottery.

The exhibits will be available for viewing during library hours. Access to the Rowantrees exhibit is subject to the Howard Room meeting schedule.  Those interested in viewing it are advised to call ahead to ensure availability of the room.  For more information call the Library at 374-5515.