Early Washington County, Virginia stoneware preserving jar signed and dated in script, Jesse Vestal 1879

William King Museum of Art to build Cultural Heritage Collection gallery

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Born in 1828, Jesse Vestal was a Washington County, VA, potter in the Great Road tradition, best known for his large, inscribed stoneware vessels. One of his most important works dates to 1849, and was the first piece acquired by William King Museum of Art as part of its Cultural Heritage Collection.

This brandy stoneware jug, in particular, is considered Jessee’s masterpiece because of its elegance, as well as the incise script carved on its surface. In January of this year, the “Poem Jug” was displayed in the Backcountry Makers exhibit, which was based on local Appalachian heritage scholar Betsy K. White’s book of the same name. The poem reads:

Vestal's Poem Jug. Collection William King Museum of Art.
Vestal’s Poem Jug.

Long and lazy
little and loud
fair and foolish
dark and proud
a splendee branda jug

At the same time, the Museum was interviewing for the Director of Advancement position, a role now filled by Bristol native Chase Mitchell. Chase is the great-great-great-great grandson of Jesse on his mother’s side, and recognized the “Poem Jug” when he came to the Museum to interview for the position. He likes to think that the presence of his relative’s work was a good omen, saying, “I think getting hired on at the Museum and having the opportunity to preserve not just the region’s, but also my family’s cultural heritage is a sign of good things to come.”

Chase is currently leading a project to raise money for the development of a gallery that will permanently house the Museum’s Cultural Heritage Collection, which includes the Vestal jug. To learn more, please visit williamkingmuseum.org or call (276) 628-5005 ext. 108. Online crowdfunding site for the project: https://www.generosity.com/community-fundraising/appalachian-cultural-heritage-gallery-development

More articles on the region’s potters/pottery:

Well known Southern potter passes away today(Opens in a new browser tab)

The Meaders family of White County GA keeps pottery traditions alive(Opens in a new browser tab)

The Catawbas teach former enemy their pottery secrets(Opens in a new browser tab)

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