Coles Pottery

Neolia Cole Womak and Kenneth George at Coles Pottery in Sanford, NC

We went on a secret mission...Denny and Benita would not tell us where the adventure would be..the first part was for me and the second part of the secret mission was for Scott. My part they could not find, the surprise was to be a quilt shop, which we found out had closed down and the building had been torn down, that is why they could not find it. But being the adventurous types that we are...they took me to a famous pottery place in Sanford, North Carolina instead.

AR Cole came to Sanford, NC January 1934 to set up his pottery shop. It was originally named Rainbow Pottery, but was changed in the early 40's to A.R. Cole Pottery. Mr. Cole made pottery at Sanford until his death in 1974. Then his daughter Neolia (photo above) took over. Neolia had always worked with her dad. Another daughter Celia, and Neolias grandson Kenneth have both taken up the trade and help Neolia. Kenneth will be a 10th generation of Coles to make pottery.
**(Kenneth's 11 year old son, Taylor is also trying his hand at the wheel.

I Loved this shop and browsed and purchased a few items. What a blast!! I loved my part of the secret mission!! Benita enjoyed visiting with Neolia - she had gone to school with some of her relatives.