On the right side as you come in is a terrific display of teapots collected by Clark County resident Debbie Barnes. You probably know Debbie from her stand at the Winchester Farmers Market, or her naughty Victorians program here at the library, or you may have met her working the genealogy desk at the Red River History Museum in Clay City. She’s enthusiastic and knowledgeable about everything she does.
She started collecting tea pots at age 8 when she found a beautiful dark green one with gold stars at a St. Vincent DePaul’s in either Ludlow or Newport. She turned over the tea pot and the brand name was Hall, the same as her grandmother. Did her grandmother’s family make lovely tea pots? Just in case they did, she bought it and her collection of Hall tea pots began. In the display, that first teapot is on the right hand side of the top shelf.
Be sure to read over the historical and manufacturing history Debbie provides in the display. You’ll read about how the glazes on the pots were influenced by a Ming Dynasty firing process that the son of Robert Hall rediscovered in order to create a superior heat holding vessel.
While you admire the elegant colors and graceful designs of the tea pots, you’ll begin to understand why tea has been a comfort and a cultural icon for centuries.
On the left hand side of the foyer, you’ll see a gorgeous display of Christmas ornaments custom-made by Winchester artist Betty Pleasant. Betty created the luminous forest path picture displayed in last summer’s Community Art Show. Everyone who looked at it remarked that it was real and the place where they wanted to walk, right away.
Betty hand draws scenes and pictures on the surface of Christmas bulbs in pen and ink with just subtle touches of color to give them depth. There are bulbs that feature country scenes, rural mailboxes, animals, trains and fiddles.
Betty also has bulbs on display and for sale at the Bluegrass Heritage Museum at 217 S. Main St. right here in Winchester. For that display, she’s created bulbs that feature historic Winchester buildings such as the museum itself, the court house, Holly Rood and the old Clark County and City high schools.
She can make a custom bulb for any theme. In the past, she’s made a series of Pokemon character bulbs and University of Kentucky basketball bulbs. Now, doesn’t that sound like the perfect way to bring a sparkle to the eye of a Wildcat fan? If you call or visit the library, we can give you information about how to contact Betty about creating a custom decoration.
So slow down when you come into the library foyer. Take some time to be inspired by the interests and talents of your Clark County friends and neighbors, and then go in to pursue your own dreams, even if they are only daydreams.
About her green star teapot, the first one she bought, Debbie Barnes writes: “My star full of Constant Comment tea, a good book and an hour of peace is truly heavenly.”
Yes! You can learn some wonderful and soul satisfying things even in the lobby of the library.
