The Edgefield County Historical Society has announced that it will host a Gala Fourth of July Celebration of Edgefield Pottery and the dedication of its new wood-fired Groundhog Kiln at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 2nd, 2011.

This event will be held at the entrance to the historic community of Pottersville, one mile north of Edgefield, at the corner of the Meeting Street Road and Crest Road at Number 7 Crest Road.

Ground for this project was actually broken two years ago at the pottery school at Piedmont Tech, but due to technical problems with that site, the location was moved to a site which is not only functionally ideal, but is also historically appropriate.

During the celebration, this traditionally-designed kiln will be opened for the first time after a three-day firing, and the first pots produced here will be removed and offered for sale. The process will be done as it was at Pottersville 200 years ago.

The ceremony will also celebrate the completion of the first year’s archaeological dig at the kiln site at Pottersville where Dr. Abner Landrum began the Edgefield Pottery tradition around 1810. The archaeological dig began on May 24th and will be completed by the end of June. It has been led by a team from the Department of Anthropology at the University of Illinois. The team has uncovered the surprisingly-large, nearly 200 year old kiln, pottery shards and other artifacts. Tours of the archaeological excavation will be given during the Gala Celebration.

The new kiln project will be named for and dedicated to Dr. Arthur F. and Esther Goldberg of Closter, New Jersey, longtime collectors of Edgefield Pottery. The Goldberg’s have added significantly to the promotion of Southern Folk Pottery over the years and have made a generous contribution to the Historical Society to assist with the cost of construction of the kiln.

The celebration will include a traditional Fourth of July barbecue with lemonade, beer, watermelons and peach ice cream. Music will be provided by the very popular Channelheimers Oompah Band of Augusta.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Tickets are $15.00 per adult or $7.50 per child under 12, and must be purchased in advance on or before June 30th at the Discovery Center or by calling 637-3833 or 637-2233 for credit card purchases.

Those interested in learning about and preserving Edgefield County’s rich history and becoming a part of our exciting programs are invited to become members of the Society. Annual dues are $35.00 for individuals, $50.00 for families and $100.00 for corporations and patrons. Membership applications will be available at the Gala Celebration or can be taken over the telephone when you purchase your tickets to the Gala.