Rosemeade pottery

Wahpeton pottery was founded in January 1940 by Laura Taylor and Robert J. Hughes. In 1953 they changed the name to Rosemeade for better name recognition.

Laura Taylor was educated at the University of North Dakota. She was a student and assistant to nationally known director, Margaret Cable.

She worked briefly making pottery for Dickota potter at the Dickenson Clay Products company, then was appointed State Supervisor at the North Dakota Works Administration (WPA).

She demonstrated pottery making at the 1939 New York Worlds Fair, that is where she met Robert. J. Hughes. They were married in 1943.

Her designs reflected the native plants and animals of North Dakota. The wide range of products included place souvenirs, human forms, functional pieces, and advertising pieces. Taylor observed trends and met the needs and wishes of the public.

Howard Lewis, Production Manager, created distinctive lustrous glazes that set Rosemeade apart. Lewis also threw swirl pottery vases and pitcher, a process he learned while working for Niloak Pottery.

Lewis was succeeded by Joe McLaughlin. McLaughlin introduced decorative decals including those of wildlife artist Les Kouba. He also accelerated the advertising specialties sales.

Rosemeade closed in 1961.

Although some pottery was thrown on a potters wheel, the majority was cast in molds. Most pieces are marked with an impressed mark or an ink stamp of the company name in blue or black lettering. The Swan pictured at top is an example of Rosemeade pottery. I have show a picture of the black ink mark on the bottom of the swan.