An Historical and Archaeological Consideration of Brickmaking in Virginia

Abstract

"Of all ceramics, brick is surrounded by the worst tangle of legend and folklore." (Heite 1970: 43) The above quote represents a statement written by Edward F. Heite in reference to the specific plight of bricks in an archaeological context. Indeed this statement provides a firm foundation for my proposal that it is a necessity for an historic overview of brick manufacture in the state of Virginia to be undertaken. In undertaking such an historic overview, I shall be concerned primarily with the beginning of brickmaking in colonial America. After having recounted a history of this important occurrence, I will then refer to the rapid spread of the brickmaking industry throughout the earliest colonies. Having done this, I will then provide a brief history of the later brickmaking industry. [From Introduction]