Kirkpatrick Pottery display planned at Civil War event

Mike Isom, owner of the Anna Kirkpatrick Pottery Museum in Anna, plans to display various pottery pieces at the Anna Arts Center during the Civil War Weekend scheduled Feb. 10-11.

One of the pieces is a Civil War "presentation for valor" Anna Pottery pig flask which was presented to Col. Breckinridge of the West Tennessee Cavalry Regiment for his outstanding leadership during a raid on a Rebel group outside of Linden.  

The pig flask is recognized as an extraordinary piece of Civil War associated history.

Another piece is a snake jug, which has many snakes slithering out of the jug and the largest snake attacks a man’s head.

In 1859 Cornwall Kirkpatrick and his brother Wallace Kirkpatrick chose Anna for their pottery shop due to the railroad and excellent beds of stoneware clay.

The pottery made the usual household necessities. They also created special pieces like the snake jug or small beer steins with frogs at the bottom.

Other jugs had writing on them to tell a story such as the winners at an Anna Fair or a political campaign.  

Some jugs had scenes of the Civil War and Camp Anna with names and date inscribed.

The Kirkpatrick Pottery items at auctions today demand extremely high bids (such as a jug for more than $100,000). The Kirkpatrick Pottery items have been bought by collectors around the world.

On Friday, Feb. 10, the Kirkpatrick Pottery will be exhibited during the sixth annual PAST Lincoln Legacy Dinner at 6 p.m. at the Anna Arts Center at 117 W. Davie St. in Anna.

The evening will also include a visit from Mary Todd Lincoln in a performance of “Ghosts Along the Way” in the person of Dr. Lynn Steveson and the reading of a recently-discovered handwritten account of the Jonesboro Lincoln-Douglas debate by historian and author Darrel Dexter.

Tickets are $25 per person and must be reserved by contacting 833-9928 or cindy <a href="mailto:cain@frontier.com">cain@frontier.com</a>.

Seating is limited, and reservations must be secured no later than Monday, Feb. 6.

On Saturday, Feb. 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Anna Arts Center, the Kirkpatrick Pottery will be on display.

There will be no charge for visitors to view various exhibits and hear guest speakers, storytellers and music.

There will also be an exhibit contest on topics pertaining to the Civil War;  potential entrants can contact 833-6374 or <a href="mailto:rdodd4@hotmail.com">rdodd4@hotmail.com</a>.

Saturday night at 6 p.m. There will be a Campfire Stew buffet and musical, “Lincoln: The Life and Times,” for the fee of $15. Contact 833-6525 or <a href="mailto:vabchlee@gmail.com">vabchlee@gmail.com</a> for information or tickets.

Another opportunity to see Kirkpatrick Pottery is to visit the Anna Kirkpatrick Pottery Museum, which is housed inside Isom's Antiques & Collectibles in downtown Anna.

Mike Isom generally places pieces of his personal collection on display at the museum on a rotating basis.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Monday "by chance."