Second and third graders in Ms. Bluemel's Discovery class worked with Mrs. Mazie Adams, the Director of the Lakewood Historical Society, and Mrs. Carol Jacobs, the curator of the Cowan Pottery Museum, to research Cowan Pottery which opened in Lakewood in 1912, moved to Rocky River after World War I, and closed in 1931 due to the Depression.

To begin their yearlong research on Cowan Pottery, the students visited the Western Reserve Historical Society to use City Directories, maps, catalogues, and primary source materials. Next, they visited the Cowan Pottery Museum in the Rocky River Public Library to view the collection on display and to inspect primary source letters and notes written by founder R. Guy Cowan.

Mr. Bill Cowan, the grandson of R. Guy Cowan, brought pottery, photos, and his grandfather's Logan Medal to share with the class. Mr. Chip Nowacek, the stepson of Cowan artist Viktor Schreckengost talked with the students about some of Mr. Schreckengost's Cowan pieces, including the Globular Vase, Jazz Plates, and the world famous Jazz Bowl.

Cowan Pottery and the Cleveland School authors Vicky Naumann-Peltz and Mark Bassett visited the classroom to discuss all aspects of Cowan Pottery. Tom Barrett, the current owner of the Cowan property in Rocky River, brought shards unearthed at the site and shared the history of the Barrett Creamey which operated on the site after Cowan Pottery closed in 1931. The children also visited the Rocky River site and Treats Restaurant to interview Cowan collector Richard Olson and enjoy a luncheon surrounded by his extensive collection.

The students continued their research throughout the school year by using primary and secondary resources during Mrs. Adams’ weekly visits, conducting interviews, and writing and producing a documentary which was presented at the Cowan Pottery Symposium in the spring.

Cowan Pottery
by L.W.

Have you ever seen a half a million dollar Jazz Bowl? I have! A Jazz Bowl is a big and beautiful bowl created by Viktor Schreckengost. The Jazz Bowl was originally made to be a punch bowl! They have one in the Rocky River Library where I went for my field trip!

There are many other famous pieces in the library too. Mrs. Carol Jacobs is the curator who took us around the library to show us bowls, pots, and other fun items to see. I had so much fun!

Most of the special items in the library are called Cowan Pottery. Cowan is actually a man's name! His full name is R. Guy Cowan. He and Viktor Schreckengost made the best pottery in my opinion.

Let me tell you a little bit about R. Guy himself. R. Guy first opened a pottery studio on Nicholson Ave. in Lakewood OH. from 1912 to 1917. It closed because R. Guy went to WWI and when he came back the gas wells went dry. But Rocky River had many gas wells so he and his staff moved the studio to Lake Road in eastern Rocky River. That lasted from 1920 to 1931! They closed due to the Great Depression when most people could not afford to buy pottery anymore.

R. Guy managed to gather thirty-five employees like Elizabeth Andersen, Viktor Schreckengost, Wayland Gregory, Paul Manship, Edris Eckhard, and Elsa Vick Shaw to work at Cowan. Just to name a few! They produced beautiful pieces while working at Cowan Pottery. Many of those pieces are on display at the museum.

Maybe you will get to go and see the Rocky River Library and the Cowan Pottery Museum someday too! It was very fun to see all of the Cowan Pottery.