Overbeck Family History

	HANNAH, 1870-1931 Attended Cincinnati Art Academy and Indiana State University. She was the "ultimate designer", a perfectionist in sketching and water colors. Listed in the American Arts Annual, her drawings were featured in Keramic Studio, a magazine for china painters. She taught school before returning home in poor health. Though bed-ridden with severe neuritis, she continued to design by having the pencil placed in her fingers.
	ELIZABETH, 1875-1936 "The ultimate potter", Elizabeth studied with Margaret in early years and later at the College for Ceramics in New York with noted ceramist, Professor Charles Binns. As a teacher and lecturer, Elizabeth exhibited widely, bringing much honor and recognition to the Pottery. Listed in the American Arts Annual and Who's Who in American Art, in 1936 she was awarded the highest honor as a ceramists, being named a Fellow in the American Ceramic Society.
	HARRIET, 1872-1951 An accomplished musician, Harriet trained in Chicago, Cincinnati, and Leipzig. she played piano, organ, and violin; gave private lessons; and directed choirs. A proficient linguist, she spoke French, German, and Italian fluently. During the busy years of the Pottery, Harriet kept house for her sisters.
	IDA, 1861-1946 The eldest, Ida opened a successful photography studio in Cambridge City. Married to Martin Funk in 1893, wheelwright and woodcarver, Ida was the only sister to marry.
	MARGARET, 1863-1911 The catalyst in establishing the Pottery, she functioned as a teacher as well as an accomplished artist. She studied at the Cincinnati Art Academy, trained with Frank Duveneck as well as other well-known artists. She taught art in private schools in Kentucky and Missouri, then DePauw University, before returning home to help found Overbeck pottery.
	MARY FRANCES, 1878-1955 Mary studied with Margaret and attended the Cincinnati Art Academy, Indiana State University and Columbia University. She taught for a time before joining her sisters at the Pottery. A talented designer, Mary excelled in a wide range of art. She sold original bookplates, sculpted, and painted in oils and water colors in addition to the vases, pottery and figurines. She was listed in American Arts Annual as well as Who's Who in American Art. To amuse children visiting the Cambridge City library, Mary made the pirate ship, Don Quixote.

The Overbeck home has been restored by Jerry and Phyllis Mattheis. It is located at 520 East Church Street in Cambridge City, Indiana. Tours of the home are by appointment only.
Call: (765) 478-5993

A brief history of the Overbeck Family

Undoubtedly the name Overbeck has brought more world-wide attention to Cambridge City than any other name during its existence. So it behooves us to give honor and recognition to the Overbeck sisters in the pages of history. The Overbeck family migrated from Virginia to find a new home in eastern Indiana. The father and mother were educated, cultured people; their family consisted of six daughters and one son. Four of the daughters were intimately connected with the pottery, but it is the Misses Elizabeth and Mary who were actively engaged in the work. Miss Margaret, who was an art teacher in DePauw University is accredited with starting the making of pottery in 1911.
Miss Elizabeth, the potter, studied at New York State School of Clay Working and Ceramics under Prof. Charles F. Binns. Miss Mary, the designer, studied at Columbia University. Their work was all done in their studio workshop and home--the complete process from preparing the clay to the final firing of the pottery. Quality was their aim, not quantity; in fact, only a few hundred pieces were turned out each year.
Miss Harriet was a musician and not connected with pottery. Miss Hannah was an invalid and designer.
The pottery was all hand made on the potter's wheel or hand built (the same method the Indian's used). The wheel-made pieces generally have a smooth surface--the hand-built a surface uneven, showing dim finger marks. Each piece was specially designed and never duplicated--both shape and decoration being used only once. The glazes were originated by Miss Elizabeth and were the potter's exclusive property. In this work every effort was made to harmonize the decoration perfectly with the piece decorated. One of the sisters quoted: "So far our work has been experimental, but it is at least as original as possible. Whatever its merits or demerits, it is a thoroughly American product."
These sisters may truly be called designers, creators and decorators in whose work, utility, sincerity, and beauty unite and give to the world rare gifts.