Acme Craftware, Inc.

Never heard of Acme Craftware? It was one of the 27 different potteries that was in Wellsville at one time or another over the years. It is part of Wellsville's history. You may be familiar with the Weeping Gold china they produced. It was an expensive collector item back in day when they produced it. They used molten 14k gold to decorate the pieces. When they poured it on the chilled pieces of pottery the gold solidified ending up looking like tears running down a crying child's cheeks. Lord only knows what the Weeping Gold pieces would be priced at today. With today's gold prices over $1,000 an ounce...

On Sunday, July 11, the Wellsville Historical Society will have the first of this year's series of special programs at the River Museum. Sunday's topic is Acme Craftware and the story of the Weeping Gold china. It will be presented by Roland Bryer, son of owners Richard & Geraldine Bryer. The program starts at 2 P.M. The museum is located at 1003 Riverside in Wellsville, right behind the Central Methodist Church on Main St. It's open to the public and there is no admission.

Pictured above, Acme Craftware was located at 3rd & Lisbon Sts. The building was taken by the State when they made Route 7 into a four lane highway in the late 1960s. The pottery had gone out of business before then. The stand alone kiln located today at that address, between the highway and the off-ramp, was part of the pottery. This photo is a picture of one hanging on one of the walls in the museum's Pottery Room.

The River Museum is open for touring every Sunday through August from 1 to 4:30 P.M. Future special programs will be on the history of the Stevenson Company, Wellsville's oldest manufacturer and the history of the Wellsville Fire Department that goes back to the late 1800s.

Wellsville Historical Society President "Brassy" Beresford cordially invites everyone to stop by and enjoy all the programs. While there you're free to view the many fine displays featured throughout three floors of Wellsville artifacts. The museum has a very nice collection of Weeping Gold that will be displayed Sunday.

ole nib