EAST LIVERPOOL — Starting immediately, visitors to the Museum of Ceramics will find two changes — a lower admission fee and new hours.
Admission fees have been reduced to $4 for adults and senior citizens, and $2 for students. Previously, admission fees were $7 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, and $3 for students. Ohio Historical Society members and children under age 5 will continue to be admitted free. Children ages 18 and under must still be accompanied by an adult.
The new hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The number of hours the museum is open has been reduced from 35 hours per week to 30. This is a direct result of the loss of 93 percent of the funding formerly provided by the Ohio Historical Society. In response to visitors’ requests, and visitation patterns in recent years, Tuesdays were added to the schedule, and Sundays were removed.
A new volunteer program also is being started. Area residents interested in learning more about it should contact Sarah Vodrey at 330-386-6001 or vial e-mail at museumofceramics@gmail.com.
Groups are encouraged to contact the museum to schedule a guided tour this summer .
This is one of the few museums in the nation devoted to ceramics. The museum houses the largest collection in the country of the award-winning Victorian porcelain Lotus Ware. Thousands of ceramic objects assist visitors in understanding how this area became the nation’s Pottery Capital. 19th century artifacts and dozens of paintings also enhance the experience of visitors to the former post office building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Museum of Ceramics Foundation, the new management of the museum, reports that the need for operating funds remains crucial. The Museum will be operating on a month-by-month basis until the entire $90,000 needed for the year is raised. The museum will remain open only with the help of area residents and others who agree that this is an invaluable historic, cultural and artistic resource, not just for local people, but nationally.
