History
Pond Farm Pottery is significant for its association with the mid-twentieth century American Studio Pottery Movement and represents the life, work, and personal philosophy of renowned Bauhaus trained master potter Marguerite Wildenhain. Between her arrival at Pond Farm in 1942 and her retirement in 1980, she contributed artistically, philosophically, and pedagogically to the Studio Pottery Movement.
Within the ceramics field, Marguerite Wildenhain is an acknowledged master, as central to the understanding of 20th century pottery as Walter Gropius is to 20th century architecture.
Wildenhain was a major figure during the American Studio Pottery Movement’s formative years, providing a voice for American pottery on an international stage alongside the leading figures of the British Studio Pottery Movement and the Japanese Mingei Movement.
It was while living and working at Pond Farm that Wildenhain produced the bulk of her work, shaped the movement’s discourse, and taught students in her intensive and widely renowned “summer sessions,” which were important in introducing Bauhaus principles of form, technique, and artistry into American ceramics.
Pond Farm consists of three original buildings, the Barn/Studio, Wildenhain’s house, and a guesthouse and an 8-acre garden and landscape. The Barn/Studio retains the small, Bauhaus-style potters’ kick-wheels, which are still in operable condition.
In 2012, a partnership was formed to oversee the restoration of this significant cultural resource.
Stewards and California State Parks were honored to work with two dedicated non-profit partners. The National Trust for Historic Preservation chose Pond Farm Pottery as one of its “National Treasures” in 2012. The California State Parks Foundation chose Austin Creek SRA and Pond Farm as a “Model of Excellence.” The National Trust for Historic Preservation funded cost estimates for the restoration effort. The California State Parks Foundation funded a Business Plan, including an analysis of reuse options for the site. In 2013, Proposition 84 funds were awarded to State Parks to aid in the first phase of stabilization. From 2012 to 2016, the Pond Farm Preservation and Revitalization Project was managed by a strong partnership consisting of California State Parks, the California State Parks Foundation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods.
The partnership successfully achieved the following:
- A contract was awarded for stabilization of the historic barn and Marguerite’s Cottage. Work began in December 2015 and was completed in 2016. Partners worked together to fund cost estimates and apply for Prop. 84 funding to complete this project.
- An Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) was completed by PGADesigns Inc. This report was funded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the California State Parks Foundation.
- Stewards formed a Pond Farm Working Group of volunteers who helped to develop a Docent Training Manual for a Pond Farm Docent Tour Guide Program.
- A final report was completed by Caitlin Strokosch from the Alliance of Artists Communities determining that Pond Farm could support an Artist in Residence Program.
- Stewards developed a partnership with UC Davis’ Public Scholars Program. Two graduate students have been accepted to work with Stewards to collect Oral Histories of key people who are part of the story of Pond Farm in 2016 and to complete a story map for the site in 2017. The UC Davis program is funded by a Mellon Foundation grant.
- A Pond Farmer Reunion took place in March of 2016. This event was an inspiration to project partners and Pond Farm students alike. View Photos
- In 2016, Pond Farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- In 2017, both the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the California State Parks Foundation moved onto other compelling projects. We are very grateful for their help and support in helping Stewards increase our capacity to expand our leadership role and partnership with California State Parks to continue to work towards final restoration of this amazing site.
- In 2018, the guest house was renovated by State Parks to be ADA compliant and is now hosting a new Artist in Residence program.
- An exhibit of the works of Marguerite Wildenhain and her students took place at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts from March 30 to May 3, 2018. Another reunion of Pond Farmers also took place during the exhibit.
- In December of 2023, Pond Farm Pottery received the esteemed honor of being designated as a National Historic Landmark.
“Pond Farm – as a place, a history, and a crucible of ideas – is widely significant and compelling. The arts offer a path forward for Pond Farm’s future use and as a model for struggling historic sites throughout California State Parks and across the country. Bringing artists to live and work at the site again can ensure the vision of Pond Farm is not lost, as well as provide dynamic engagement with park visitors and the broader community.”
—Caitlin Strokosch, President & CEO, National Performance Network
