MONTEREY, Mass. — The Bidwell House Museum will open their 34th season with an afternoon of pottery making on May 26th from 2-4 p.m.

 

In the first program of the 2024 season, watch potter Rick Hamelin delve into the pottery legacy in New England as he shares the stories of  redware potters who fought valiantly during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. 

 

Each participant will have the chance to create their very own pinch pot.

 

Hailing from Central Massachusetts, Rick Hamelin has been honing his pottery skills since 1976 and has developed a deep fascination for the history of redware pottery. His works have been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions throughout the country, most recently in the show "American Clay: Modern Potters, Traditional Pots" at the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton.

 

Following the demonstration there will be refreshments available to celebrate the opening of the 2024 season. The house will be closed for tours, though the gardens and grounds will be open. 

 

Tickets for this event are free for Museum Members and $20 for Non-Members. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required at the Museum website at: https://www.bidwellhousemuseum.org/event/throwing-back-massachusetts-pottery-heritage/

 

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Monterey Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

 

Then, on Memorial Day, Monday May 27, the Museum will open to the public for our official season of guided tours. These personal, small-group tours last about an hour and include a look at the architecture of the house, a history of the Bidwell Family and their connection to Monterey, information about housewares and decor in 18th century New England, and a walk through the first and second floors of the house. 

 

The Museum is accessible and there is a video tour of the 2nd floor for those visitors who are unable to climb stairs. All tours are by appointment only, must be booked 24 hours in advance and will be available on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. Tours can be reserved by either calling 413-528-6888 or emailing bidwellhm2@gmail.com. Tickets for adults are $20, seniors are $15, students are $5 and children 12 and under are free.

 

For the second year, the Bidwell House Museum will participate in the Card to Culture program. EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders are entitled to free admission to all house tours and can register for events at the member price. This is made possible by the Mass Cultural Council, through collaboration with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services' Department of Transitional Assistance, the Department of Public Health's MassWIC, and the Massachusetts Health Connector.

 

The Bidwell House Museum is also part of the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association, and NARM members receive free admission for house tours. The NARM network is a mosaic of 1,244 art museums and galleries, historical museums and societies, botanical gardens, children's museums, zoos, and more. When you sign up with your favorite participating NARM institution you can receive reciprocal membership benefits across the United States, Canada, Bermuda, El Salvador, and Mexico.

 

Finally, the Bidwell House Museum also provides free admission for house tours to members of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), including teachers, faculty, professional staff, and education support professionals working at public schools, colleges, and universities across Massachusetts.