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Laura A. Fry collection

 Collection — Box: Communal Collections 22, Placement: 06
Identifier: MSF 136

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of a press release from the Greater Lafayette Museum of Art announcing Laura A. Fry's exhibition of decorative arts; Rookwood art pottery and contemporary art glass.

There are also two pages of references to Laura Fry from the Special Collections card catalog index to Purdue publications (Debris, 1899-1914).

Dates

  • Creation: 1982

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection material is in English.

Access Information

The collection is open for research.

Copyright and Use Information

Some material in this collection is in the public domain, while other material copyrights are held by Purdue University. Consult with Purdue University Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.

Biographical Information

Laura Fry was the daughter of Henry Fry, a prominent Cincinnati woodcarver. She entered the McMicken School of Design (later the Cincinnati Art Academy) at the age of twelve and developed an interest in pottery decoration. She became a charter member of the Cincinnati Pottery Club, which was founded in 1879.

Later, she joined the decorating department at Rookwood Pottery and proved to be an outstanding decorator and teacher. Fry developed a technique of applying pigment evenly to ceramics by using an atomizer, and gained a patent for her work. She went to work for the Lonhuda Pottery in Steubenville in 1892 and sued to prevent Rookwood from using her technique. Judge William Howard Taft ruled in favor of Rookwood, stating that her technique was a new use for an existing tool. Eventually, she settled in Indiana and taught industrial design at Purdue University.

Laura became professor of Industrial Art at Purdue in 1891. She left in 1892 but returned to teach from 1893-1922, serving as head of the Art Department. In 1898, Miss Fry was one of the founders of the Art League, later the Art Club. In 1909, this organization became the Greater Lafayette Museum of Art.

Extent

0.025 Cubic Feet (One folder)

Acquisition Information

Source and date of acquisition are unknown.

Processing Information

The material has been placed into an acid-free folder and acid-free box.

Title
Laura A. Fry papers
Status
Under Review
Author
Mary A. Sego
Date
2020-05-14
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English
Edition statement
Second edition. Collection description first completed 2011-01-08.

Repository Details

Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839