Exhibit: Miss Pearson Brings the World To Blue Hill

Blue Hill, Maine - The Blue Hill Public Library has a new exhibit on display in the upstairs Howard Room glass cases, Miss Pearson Brings the World To Blue Hill, with items and photographs from a 1938-39 around-the-world trip by Library benefactor Adelaide Pearson and her associate, Laura Paddock. The two were gone for six months.

The purpose of the trip to was to study ceramics in the Far East, and bring ideas and gain expertise for their new endeavor, Rowantrees Pottery, which had opened in Blue Hill in 1934.  On this trip, Laura Paddock, who had studied ceramics and glazes at the Philadelphia Art Museum School, wrote several “Pottery Reports” based on their visits, and Adelaide Pearson took innumerable photographs and shot more than 4000 feet of motion picture film, some of which
is running on a loop next to the exhibit.  They explored many ancient sites, busy cities, temples, gardens, and met potters of all types along the way.  They also met Mahatma Gandhi, and took photos of him, a few of which are in the exhibit.

Pearson was determined to bring the world to Blue Hill; many of the items she collected on her travels found a permanent home at the Library, and are now part of its museum collection. Upon returning, she worked with Librarian Anne Hinckley to apply for funding from the Public Works Administration to build the Library a new building. This year the Library will be celebrating 75 years on Parker Point Road with a series of programs and exhibits focusing on local history.

The exhibit is in the Howard Room cases, available for viewing during Library hours subject to the meeting room schedule. For more information call the Library at 374-5515.