Memories of Medalta

Today on Bring Back The Porch we are on location in one of the historic kilns in Medalta. At Medalta, a unique archaeological field school is not just preserving history, but also bringing it to life. Join us as we explore the exciting discoveries being made at Medalta, the significance of these findings, and how they connect us to our heritage.

Chapters

00:00 Preserving History: The Importance of Medalta
02:49 Celebrating Community: Events and Activities at Medalta
06:01 Engaging the Next Generation: Educational Programs
08:49 Exploring the Museum: Tours and Exhibits
12:06 Connecting with the Past: Stories and Collectibles
15:09 The Heart of Medalta: Personal Connections and Experiences

Explore the rich history and current activities at Medalta, a historic ceramics site in Medicine Hat, including its archaeological projects, community events, educational programs, and preservation efforts.

The Significance of Medalta's History
Medalta is not just a site; it’s a living testament to Canada’s industrial past. Established during a time when clay was king, Medalta has evolved over the years, but its roots remain firmly planted in history. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Friends of Medalta Society, an organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating this remarkable site. The story of Medalta is intertwined with the dreams of its founders, who envisioned a future where this historic site would thrive rather than decay into obscurity.

Rediscovering the Old Horse Barn
One of the most thrilling projects this season is the archaeological search for the old horse barn, a structure that played a vital role in Medalta's early operations. As Brian recounts, the barn was where horses helped transport clay before modern machinery took over. This search not only pays homage to the site's history but also fulfills a long-standing dream of one of Medalta’s founders, 

Engaging the Community with District Days
To celebrate its historical significance, Medalta is hosting "District Days," a two-day event featuring local artisans, food trucks, live music, and activities geared toward families. This event aims to rekindle interest in the community’s history while providing a fun and engaging atmosphere for all ages. By combining entertainment with education, Medalta is fostering a connection between the past and present, inviting everyone to be part of its ongoing story.

Educational Opportunities for All Ages
Medalta is not just about preserving history; it’s about experiencing it. The site offers various educational programs for both children and adults. From summer camps that allow kids to explore and create with clay to adult classes that provide hands-on experiences, Medalta caters to a wide audience. This inclusive approach ensures that everyone can find something that piques their interest, from the history buff to the aspiring potter.

Conclusion: Why Medalta Matters
In an age where many historic sites are at risk of being forgotten, Medalta stands out as a beacon of preservation and education. The ongoing archaeological efforts not only unearth physical remnants of the past but also revive stories and memories that shape our understanding of history. By engaging the community through events and educational opportunities, Medalta ensures that its rich heritage continues to inspire future generations.

Whether you're interested in archaeology, local history, or simply looking for a fun day out, Medalta offers a unique glimpse into the past. As we celebrate this historic site, we invite you to be part of the journey—come explore, learn, and discover the treasures hidden beneath our feet.

Key  topics

History of Medalta and its significance in Canadian ceramics
Archaeological excavations and discoveries at Medalta
Community events and markets celebrating local culture
Educational programs for kids and adults in pottery and history
Preservation of historic industrial sites in Canada

Guest  name
Sarah Schatz
Events Coordinator, Medalta

Sound bites

"Canada's very young and we have not done a good job at preserving our historic sites."
"The dream is alive, and lots of things are happening for the 40th anniversary."
"Seventy-five percent of pottery made nationwide came from this neighbourhood."


Resources

Medalta - The Canadian Museum of Ceramic Art - https://medalta.org/
Medalta's Social Media - https://facebook.com/medalta
Hycroft Pottery - https://www.medalta-giftshop.ca/shop/hycroft-china-originals/

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Transcript

0:00

Hey, this is Brian again, and I'd like to ask you to do a favor. We can't do this work without people like you. So if you can, please like, share, subscribe, tell your friends about bring back the porch. We go to Europe and, you know, you have 100 year old castles and relics left behind. Canada's very young, and we have not done a good job at preserving our historic sites so as to have an industrial site like this. That is almost the original footprint. Still standing is incredible. So even what we're at today, there's portions of the building that once where that we lost in fire or in flood damage or anything like that there. So the actual factory was much, much bigger than what it is today. So even that telling people that story is like kind of shocks them as well. This episode of bring back the porch. Brought to you by Bernie Leahy, River Street Realty. Let's get you home. There was one day driving down the street, and I see a sign on the side of the road. It says field school archeology at Medalta and I went. What are they digging up at? So I made a phone call. And that led us here to with Sarah Schatz, who was the event coordinator at Medalta. We are in one of the historic kilns, which I love. It's absolutely amazing to be in here. And we're going to talk about the field school because what are you dig enough. So one of the very special things about Medalta to this year, it's our 40th anniversary of the friends of the Medalta Society. And over 40 years ago, two gentlemen dreamt up what this place would look like if it was not just a derelict factory. And one of the founders, Jack, always wanted to know where the old stable was. And we did have horses that worked here before power was added in and helped haul the clay around. So the archeological field school this year we are searching for the old horse barn and it's kind of a full fruition, celebrating his dream on the 40th year. I think the archeologist that is involved was here at first, in 2010, and helped to discover the foundations for some of the original kilns. That's right. Yeah. Doctor Jacobson is a Medalta nut as well. She loves this place and has just a wealth of information and passion for discovering new little niches about this place that we didn't know yet. So it's great to have her back and leading this school. It's amazing that we're here, because I recall those days, 40 years ago when Jack Forbes and Dan Taylor and David Jamieson were involved in trying to convince people that this was possible, and at the time, this was basically a dusty old place that hadn't seen any activity in years. It was. And the dream is alive. And there's lots of things happening for the 40th years of the friends of Medalta. You have a market, I understand. We do. We're trying something new. One of the top requested things people ask us for is those Thursday night markets. Yes. When those started, Medalta was one of the first places in town that was doing those markets. So we always had great big turnout and it became a fan favourite event down here. It's just a lot of changeovers. So this year we're doing it bigger and better. We're doing over the course of two days and kind of throwing a night market feel into it. So it's going to have artisans and kids activities and food trucks and live music and beer samplings and everything. So it's going to be a really great time. That's July 11th and 12th, and we're calling it District Days to really celebrate and party what this district means to all of us. Now, when you used to have it on Thursday nights, a little bit inside, a little bit outside, you're going to follow that. That's right. Yeah. We have this beautiful outdoor courtyard space that we will be taking full advantage of. So you can come and get some air conditioning, but also go out in the sunshine, whatever your preference is. What are the hours? So the Saturday night we're going to run a little bit late. We're going to go from four till ten. Like I said, maybe bring in a different demographic that's looking for that night market, hang out under the patio lights feel. And then Sunday is going to be 10 to 2. We don't normally do our markets on Sundays, so we're really excited to see how this goes and hopefully welcome in a new group of people that maybe don't know about Medalta to come down and meet us and hang out on a couple different. Now, when you used to do the Thursday night, said lots of food trucks here. Yeah, yeah, we're going to try again this year. There'll be a couple different vendors and a couple have already locked in. We've got 2 or 3 more spaces left to fill, so it's going to be a fun time that you can just come in and meet some of the local businesses as well and get to know them. And again, just hang out and meet some people. We have a brand new Medalta to beer that we've launched with Medicine Hat Brewing Company, so that will be available for samplings and for sale at the bar, and then a couple other relationships around town that we're excited to showcase. And obviously Plainsman Clays is just down the road as well. They're going to be there doing some informational and demonstrations as well. So yeah, art and exploration. This is for teens to get the younger people involved in the clay I guess working with clay. Yeah, exactly. It's one of those things that teenagers don't really get the history stuff. They don't get the dorky side of it. So the education team is really catered this to make it a little more fun, a little more jazzy, and they can come and learn in a new way and get their hands dirty and make something that that's funky to them. So we're really excited for that program. What kid doesn't like making mud pies? That's true, that's true. I mean, kids and clay, they should be an automatic thing to go together. Yeah. Also, you have a thing for adults, so people like me can get dirty. Yeah. So we have a couple different options now with adult classes here on the museum side. Are education teams doing so that you get that historical experience, you get a museum tour and then you get to do your hand building. And then we have adult beginner classes as well that run through the year. So it really is a sampling of whether you want to become a potter or not. So you can have a two hour class all the way up to a year long residency. So there's really something for everyone. And to see just what peaks your interest. Private events are also available for booking here. That's right. Yeah. So we have our main event hall that can hold up to 250 people and more for concerts and stuff. So weddings, conferences, fundraising, galas, the list goes on. So we've really seen a whole new life brought into the space in that realm as well. And people again here as a wedding guest who had no idea what Medalta is or what it means to the community, they come in just thinking they're coming to their friend's wedding and they their minds kind of get blown. I imagine you get people to come here and I want to go into an open place for like, well, this is going to be boring. And then they walk out and they're, I guess, changed. They understand the importance of this site. It's true. Yeah. There's lots of stories like that, especially from all across Alberta. We recently just had a provincial conference in here and same thing. People from north of Edmonton who had no idea that there was such a cool center, now saying, okay, I'm going to bring my kids and my my partner is down and let's make another experience for another date. So and summer camps for kids as well. Yeah. Yeah. So those fill up very quickly very fast. But they're they're week long programs that you get to come and same thing. The kids get to see the museum, learn something new, get their hands dirty. They go outside and learn something about the neighborhood as well and go out into the creek areas and whatnot. So those are amazing things for the kids. Again, just to get them excited about something that's dorky or unusual. So I think there's a couple spots left in those if people have any interest, and those always run every summer and birthday parties, you can have a birthday party. Those are new this year. Yeah. We we again, one of those top requested things if can you can can you bring your kids in for a birthday experience. So I think it's a 2.5 hour slot. You get to come in again. Your group gets to play in the clay. They have a little party room as well, so you can bring in a cake and snacks, do your presence right on site as well and just make like a whole experience of it here. So that's really unique and and kicked off now. And you have a real saver for parents when those PD days come up. And what are we going to do with the kids. Yeah yeah those turned into a fun one as well. Just again like where can we open up those spots so that families do feel like we are consistently here and we're consistently available. So those run year round as well. And the dates for that are always launched a little bit in advance. So parents can kind of plan and look at what their weeks are going to look like. So now if I just have a day and I've got a couple of hours and I wanted to take a tour, can I come in? Yeah, absolutely. So right now we're in the off season and our hours do change just based on summer students availability. So come July 1st, we're open seven days a week through the summer so that you can come in no matter what your summer plans are, and get a guided tour or a self-guided tour. Some people like to go at their own pace and feel a little bit more flexible, and then other guided tours are an hour and a half long. You get the full story, you get some extra little tidbits of information through that. So those are all available as well, and it's just a really great opportunity. You're going to see this stuff, but then you're going to hear the stories with a with a tour guide. You said self-directed is that with some sort of a hearing device? Know you get a map and a brochure and that wanders through. So there's interpretive panels throughout the museum and videos as well. And then at the end, if you have any questions, you want to go a little deeper. The front desk staff will always give you some more Intel, shall we say. And then so it just it kind of makes people feel a little bit more relaxed and they can go at their own pace and investigate it for themselves. So it's just nice to have those two options. Now. What are they going to see when they go through the tour? So is one of those unique places that, like the States, has the better word for it. We call it a living history museum down there. That's exactly what Medalta is. So you're going to come through and see original machinery where we process raw clay, private collections, museum collections, our historic kilns. You get to wander through all of that, and then we're still operational sites. We're still making the Delta pottery today, with the original designs as close to original colors as possible. So we don't like to call it a reproduction because it's still just the same old stuff. And so that really puts us in a unique position as you're seeing the old and the current. So very unique. Yeah. Can I buy things? You can. Yeah. So we have a gift shop that's stocked with a whole bunch of different options. All of the Medalta pieces, like I said, are original wears that we're making today. Hi craft. We have some high craft items that are actually antique left over from the warehouse. So those are available. And then we have a variety of local business items or local artisan pieces that they've created either well here and becoming an artist in residence or at their own pottery studios at home. So there's a variety of items to shop in their gift shop, and those are open during the museum hours. There's lots of glass cases out here with lots of things on display. I was like a kid in the candy store out there looking at things where what's the origin of that? So this room that we're next to is called the Collector's Gallery, and in here specifically features Tony Collection. Tony was a local farmer just outside of Medicine Hat, and he had a passion for discovering pieces. So in this room alone, there's over 2500 pieces in Tony's collection, and it represents not just Medalta, but the other ceramic factories in this neighborhood. So it really gives you a glimpse of this is what Medalta was making. But this is what High Croft was making. This is what sunburst made and so on and so forth. So there's, I think, 7 or 8 different potteries on display in that room, and you can see literally 100 years of design on display. So one of the other areas that is part of the historically district is the IXL brick plant. Do you have any programing there? We don't. So the problem with IXL is that it is closer to the floodplain. So they have really been beat up over the years with all of our floods in the city, has done a great job with our landscape berms now, but it is quite frankly unsafe for anybody to go in right now. So we're trying to infuse a little bit of high craft, a little bit of IXL back onto this site so that we can still tell those stories in a safe manner and make sure that people are knowing that history. But it's amazing. This entire neighborhood is, like I said, over 100 years of history in ceramics and other industry as well. So one time this was the industrial center of Western Canada. Yeah, at the height in I think it was the late 1920s, there was 75% of pottery made nationwide came from this neighborhood, came from a Medalta So that alone just speaks to the volume and how important this site is. And we do we hear those stories from tourists all the time that, oh, I'm from Ontario and I think my grandma had one of these. So it's amazing to see those little connections all around the world, quite frankly. And Medalta is highly collectible. They are. Yes. Yeah. You get phone calls from people. I got a piece here. What's it worth? We do, we do. So that's the that's the trip. As myself, as a collector and a historian, ethically, I cannot give you the price of what that's worth. But it's amazing because, yeah, they'll say, okay, I think this is the stamp is partially rubbed off or is this the color or do you know what year this came from? We're always happy to try and answer those questions as best we can. And we have some great resources in the gift shop and in the museum that you can kind of take a picture of that stamp and match it to your piece at home. So were you left with patterns in books that help you date things? Yeah. And, you know, in the late 90s and early 2000, a couple of collectors and historians actually went through and kind of made the catalog of all those stamps and patterns so that you can pull that up and say, oh, I know exactly what the pattern is that I just picked up off G.G. or at a thrift shop. And the for us especially, there were so many pieces left behind that some of them were still good. So that that's what makes up our collection archives. And then we have, of course, accessioned pieces back in by donations from the public. And just kind of build out that story of this is what art looked like in the 1920s. We were fortunate in that basically this place was in limbo, in stasis for so many years. So you can sort of give people the idea of what it was like a hundred years ago. Yeah, exactly. That is exactly the the meat portion of this place. We go to Europe and, you know, you have 100 year old castles and relics left behind. Canada's very young, and we have not done a good job at preserving our historic sites so as to have an industrial site like this. That is almost the original footprint. Still standing is incredible. So even what we're at today, there's portions of the building that once where that we lost in fire or in flood damage or anything like that there. So the actual factory was much, much bigger than what it is today. So even that telling people that story is like kind of shocks them as well. Yeah. Do you ever have any quiet moments when you think you hear the voices of what worked here? Yeah, that's a definitely a repeating factor in this area. We've had many people come with their experiences, and even just walking through an empath saying, oh, I can, I can feel them. Our production manager here often feels that they they prank her so she has her own experience with them. But really like just being here in the the night, I just, I just feel the wonder. This is such a unique place. And there are there's hundred years of stories and people connected to this place, so it's quite cool. You've talked about history nerds. I think you probably qualify I self-identify, yes. Yeah. Okay. Is that what led you to want to be here to to work in here? Yeah. I have a quite a unique Medalta to experience myself. I was a summer student here, and it altered the direction of my university degree. And I love this place. Was born and raised medicine hat girl who ran away to the big city for 5 or 6 years and and came home and fell in love with the place again. And I think it's just puts Medalta in a very unique position to try and keep our community stories alive and, and bring that history back to the limelight, shall we say. So, yeah, it's it's holds a very special place in my heart and a lot of my colleagues as well. Exhibitions. I think I've seen some ads for a few that are coming up. Yeah, yeah. So we offer year round exhibitions, and especially when artists and residents are finishing off their year long terms, they get to do a show. So this year, our next exhibition isn't until the fall, and that's a collaboration between a local school and our local pottery club. And then next spring will kick off another round of exhibitions. So you can always keep an eye on our website and our social media to see those announcements and and little teasers as those get installed. The Artists in Residence is another program that runs, I think, throughout the year, but a little special one for the month of May. That's right. Yeah. So we had a very unique experience where seven different universities across Canada selected seven students and sent them here to come and learn and be interns and and experiment and, and create. And it's just been a very cool atmosphere over there where seven people who came in with zero connections have kind of become friends and have been just bringing a new life into that place and experimenting. So that is a really fun one. They won't exhibit after that, but it's still been just so fun to have. Again, some young college blood in there and experimenting and seeing what they come up with using the delta techniques or our kilns and whatnot. So artisan residencies, yeah, they can go from one month up to a year. So you kind of have that flexibility of how long you want to come, how long you want to stay, and then a very unique portion of it, even our workshops this year are led by, I think, 3 or 4 alumni. So they come to be artists and they keep coming back or they come to be teachers eventually. So that is a very special niche. Again, with our with our little world over here. So modality is infectious. Yes. We like to think that. Have you what's the weirdest request you've had from someone said, or maybe the farthest you've heard from someone who has a Medalta to piece? I had an interesting one actually, from Edmonton area recently, and because they don't have a dedicated ceramics history museum up there, he has a piece of high croft that was a four piece set gifted to his dad, and it was because of farmers down in Medicine Hat, bailing hay or sorry, other way around. Medicine hat had a drought and Edmonton farmers were baling hay and sending it down to Medicine Hat. And as a thank you, Harry Veiner at High Croft had customized dishes for those farmers and sent it up to say thank you for participating. So he was saying, we don't have a pottery factory up here. Who do I send this to if I want to donate it? Do we accession it into the museum collection or do I try and sell it? So at the end of that conversation, I think we walked away with it. It's pretty special and you better keep it. But we'll see. So those are very unique because we are we're the the one point contact for most of those odd questions. But okay, how do people get Ahold of you? We have our websites, our social media and then our phone number and 403529 1070 and you can call and then our guest services will get you to the right person, whether it's events or classes or field trips or anything like that. Is there anything else you wanted to mention while we're here? Thank you for having me on. This is awesome. Yeah. It's a it's a pleasure to brag about and and invite people down to see what we do down here and learn about us. So it's. Yeah, it's a really great pleasure. Yeah. Well, thank you for the visit. Thank you.