The Pottery at "Crow's
Nest"
Anne W. Cissel
It might surprise some
people to learn that
the camping grounds
west of Thurmont,
known as "Crow's Nest"
was once the site of a
famous pottery. The
earthernware products
turned out by its
potters are highly
prized by collectors
from museums of
Americana to private
enthusiasts.
Lynn Pottery began in
1845 when Jacob Lynn
purchased the site not
far from Hunting
Creek. There is no
evidence that Lynn
himself was a potter,
but he hired the
craftsmen and sold
their work. The most
famous of these
artists in clay were
Anthony Bacher and
James Mackley. The
wares they turned out
was mostly utilitarian
objects like pitchers,
flower pots and bowls;
the lead and manganese
glazed exterior
sometimes decorated
with modeled birds and
flowers. Their
products are pictured
in The Pottery of the
Shenandoah Valley
Region, published by
the Museum of Early
Southern Decorative
Arts.
James Mackley was born
in Middleburg, Carroll
Co in 1843, but was
working at the pottery
in the 1860's,
mastering Bacher's
style and techniques.
Although some of their
work is signed, it is
hard to distinguish
unsigned work. Bacher
left Mechanicstown to
establish a works at
Winchester, Va., but
was persuaded to
return and operate the
Lynn Pottery with Mr.
Mackley, at least
until 1882 when Mr.
Mackley retired. Mr.
Bacher's later work is
mostly associated with
the Winchester
pottery.
William W. Lynn took
over the ownership of
the pottery importing
artisens from
Pennsylvania and the
Shenandoah region. As
late as 1901 the "Catoctin
Clarion" mentions a
firing of the new kiln
of pottery by a Mr.
Baker at the "old Lynn
place". By that date
the pottery was just a
small piece of Ann
Norris' 100 acre farm.
The old log and stone
house was named "Crows
Nest" by it next owner
W.L. Firor.
In 1914 it was a
popular summer
boarding house hosted
by Albert Gernand.
Under the sponsorship
of Joseph Gernand and
his sister Mrs Frances
G. Weller it became
the first chartered
Youth Hostel in the
State of Maryland in
1940.
Today, Crow's Nest is
a well known campsite
for hikers, fisherman
and others enjoying
the area's
recreational
opportunities. There
is little evidence of
its prior use,
although shards of
pottery still surface
from time to time. In
2001 as part of the
250th anniversary
celebration of
Thurmont, the Thurmont
Historical Society
organized a showing of
some of the original
pieces. Many were on
loan from The
Historical Society of
Frederick County and
the private
collections of local
Mackley heirs. These
simple earthernwares
demonstrate the skill
of the talented
artisans associated
with Mechancistown's
pottery.
If you have any Information or
historical news clippings on
business or Place in
the Thurmont Area, Please send them to us so we can
included them in our archives. E-mail us at:
history@mythurmont.net
Read more articles by
Anne Cissel