Archie Bray Foundation – Beehive Kiln Stabilization

The Archie Bray Foundation is one of the most renowned ceramic arts institutes in the world, and each year, the institute hosts twenty well-known ceramic artists from across the globe. The Archie Bray Foundation is home to the Western Clay Manufacturing Company brickyard, which houses rare beehive kilns that were created over a century ago. The beehive kilns were used to fire the famous Kessler bricks, and they remain a source of inspiration for artists and tourists who travel to the Archie Bray Foundation.

The Archie Bray Foundation and the Western Clay Manufacturing Company were both founded in 1951, but Western Clay shut down in 1961. The beehive kilns were neglected and fell into disrepair, and the exterior reinforcing walls deteriorated. The Archie Bray used MHF funds to repair the exterior masonry of one kiln.