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Billy Henson and Cinda Baldwin discuss the need for stoneware. A native of Lyman in Spartanburg County, Henson came from a long line of traditional potters. Both his grandfather, Jesse Vardry Henson...Spartanburg
Spartanburg County was founded in 1785 and lies near the Blue Ridge Mountains. Both the county and its seat are named in honor of the Spartan Regiment, a local militia who served the Americans in the Revolutionary War. Notable residents include general William Westmoreland and hymn writer William Walker.
The county was principally settled by Scotch-Irish and other Europeans who moved to the area from Pennsylvania and Virginia in the late 18th century. Historically, the economy relied on small cotton farms, cattle raising, and the Lowcountry tourists that visited the area’s mineral springs. After the Civil War, the region’s economy transitioned to textile manufacturing. Today, Spartanburg County has become an industrial hub. In fact, “the New York Times reports Spartanburg as having the highest per capita international investment in the nation.”
SOURCE: Economic Futures Group. Accessed June 10, 2016.
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Billy Henson tells Cinda Baldwin why he was interested in reviving alkaline-glazed stoneware. A native of Lyman in Spartanburg County, Henson came from a long line of traditional potters. Both his...Audio
Billy Henson talks with Cinda Baldwin about Jones "Pete" Clayton's influence on him. A native of Lyman in Spartanburg County, Henson came from a long line of traditional potters. Both his grandfather...Audio
Billy Henson talks about the difference between using sand or glass in a glaze. A native of Lyman in Spartanburg County, Henson came from a long line of traditional potters. Both his grandfather...Photo
A native of Lyman in Spartanburg County, Henson came from a long line of traditional potters. Both his grandfather, Jesse Vardry Henson, and his great-uncle, David Carr Henson, were folk potters in...Video
Joel Stover discusses regional differences in barbecue.Video
Kendrick and his son Blake discuss importance of hash tradition.Video
Ray McLees gives the history of the famous Landy West pot, “Bo Jack.”