Visit the Museum

COVID-19 virus IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

To limit the spread of COVID-19 we have made the decision to temporarily close the Museum doors as of the 19th March, until further notice.  Please continue to visit this space for our reopening notice.

Admission Prices

Adults $5 per head, Children under 16 years of age $4 per head.
Family (2 Adults, 2 Children) $15.

We can cater for large and small groups who book ahead, with homemade morning tea, afternoon tea or supper, along with an introduction talk and a guided tour for $12 per head.

(We are closed on Wednesday, but will open for groups, by prior arrangement)

We also have a small number of selected Australian pottery pieces for sale.

Public toilets on site.

The Directors, Geoff and Kerrie Ford welcome visitors, groups and coaches to the museum and can be contacted by Ph (02) 6036 3464 or internet info@australianpottery.com.au

We look forward to seeing you soon at the Museum.

Introduction

The National Museum of Australian Pottery is the only Museum dedicated to 19th and early 20th century Australian pottery and is the culmination of many years of collecting and research throughout Australia.

On display are close to 2,000 pieces of domestic pottery from 126 Australian pottery companies established between European settlement and the end of World War I, (1918).

Amongst the extensive range of pottery wares, such as simple preserving jars, jugs, colourful cheese covers, beautiful bread plates and elegantly decorated water filters are a few rare examples of pottery made by the convict potter Jonathan Leak, who’s few surviving pieces are the earliest marked pottery produced in Australia.

Also on display are over 100 original photographs, showing the interior and exterior of many potteries, exhibition displays and portraits of the potters along with catalogues, price lists and numerous old advertisements.

The Collection represents in many ways the struggle, courage and determination of many of our early potters who, often under difficult circumstances, produced basic and decorative domestic pottery, frequently with spectacular results.

Visitors have a unique opportunity to further their knowledge and appreciation of our early Australian pottery heritage.

So come and spend some quality time at Holbrook in the National Museum of Australian Pottery with Geoff and Kerrie Ford.

Pieces from the collection

This month (December 2019) the Museum is commemorating the arrival 200 years ago, of the convict potters Jonathan Leak and John Moreton. We have selectet six pieces, which from the left are a spruce beer bottle impressed: 'J. LEAK', a blacking bottle impressed: 'LEAK', a bung jar, a large spruce beer bottle impressed: 'I. MORETON & SONS POTTERS', a small ginger beer bottle impressed: 'MORETON', all salt glazed, and a terracotta wine cooler impressed: 'I. MORETON & SONS POTTERS.'                                Come and visit the Museum and see the largest collection of convict pottery on display in Australia.

The Friends of NMAP Inc. get together at the Museum four times a year.

At the February Friends meeting, the theme was favorite five jugs, here are five of the best that were on display, 'H. McHugh Tasmania, John Campbell Tasmania, A. Hillcoat Pottery E. Maitland, Lithgow Pottery and H. McHugh TAS.'

If you would like to become a member you can find further information and a membership form in the ‘NMAP FRIENDS’ section.