Louisville Stoneware Offers Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Visitors can see how Kentucky's oldest continuously operating company makes its iconic pottery.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:52pm

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A grid of brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen images of a single Louisville Stoneware ceramic mug, conceptually representing the company's enduring artisanal tradition.Louisville Stoneware's iconic ceramic mugs are transformed into a vibrant, pop art-inspired celebration of the company's enduring craftsmanship.Louisville Today

Louisville Stoneware, founded in 1815, is now offering public tours of its facility where local artisans handcraft each piece of stoneware using locally sourced clay. Guests can register online to take a tour and even decorate their own stoneware item.

Why it matters

As one of the last remaining stoneware companies in the U.S., Louisville Stoneware has adapted over the years to survive the decline of the industry. Allowing the public to see the handmade production process helps preserve the company's heritage and connect customers to the craftsmanship behind the iconic Kentucky pottery.

The details

Each piece of Louisville Stoneware is made and decorated by local artisans using clay sourced from the region. The company, located in the Paristown neighborhood, has been in continuous operation since 1815, making it Kentucky's oldest continuously operating company.

  • Louisville Stoneware was founded in 1815.
  • The company is now offering public tours of its facility.

The players

Louisville Stoneware and Co.

Kentucky's oldest continuously operating company, founded in 1815 and known for its handcrafted stoneware pottery.

Steve Smith

The president and owner of Louisville Stoneware and Co.

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What they’re saying

“99.9% of Stoneware companies were going away in the early 1900s ... The idea became everyday dishware, which is really the tradition and the way we survive today.”

— Steve Smith, President and Owner, Louisville Stoneware and Co.

The takeaway

By opening its doors to the public, Louisville Stoneware is preserving the legacy of Kentucky's handmade pottery tradition and connecting customers to the artisanal craftsmanship behind each piece of its iconic stoneware.