One of the best annual ceramic conferences is held at Don Carpentier's
Eastfield near Albany, New York.  Those of us that regularly attend this
even refer to it as "Dish Camp."  Don has preserved a number of threatened
18th and 19th century buildings by moving them to his Eastfield Village
where he conducts workshops on such things as blacksmithing, Ornamental
Plastering, tin smithing, Historic House Paints, Reproduction Historic
Millwork and other topics.  This summer Don has put together a great
program on Taverns and most of his speakers are archaeologists.  Here is
the program of speaker for this year's ceramics seminar "British Ceramics
from Early Tavern Sites" that is being held from June 28th through the
30th.   The seminar is limited to around 35 people and is very good because
of the interplay between speakers and a most knowledgeable audience.  The
speakers have a couple of hours to present their lecture, which certainly
beats the 20-minute sound bites from typical archaeological conferences.

Phil Dunning:
      The Anatomy, Operation & Traditions of Early Taverns.
Rob Hunter:
      18th Century Anglo-American Taverns.
Maranda Goodby
      Potters and Publicans.
Barbara Magid
      Happy with my Bowl and Friends. (Alexandria, Virginia)
Maureen Brown
      Tavern site at Port Royal, Jamaica, 1703.
John Kille and Al Lukenbach
      Ceramics from Rummey's Tavern, London Town, Maryland.
Meta Janowitz
      Crolius & Remmy Kiln Wasters (1730-1800).
David Barker
      Ceramics on the Margins:  The Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
George Miller and Don Linebaugh
      Ceramic Consumption Communities: an 1860 snapshot from 3 country
stores.

Don Carpentier said he still has some spaces.  The seminar fee is $435.00,
which is well worth the cost because of the quality of the information
presented.  Those enrolled in the seminar can stay in one of the buildings
that Don had reconstructed on the site for free.  Conditions are primitive,
i.e. outhouses and pumped well water.  If anyone is interested, you should
call Don Carpentier at (518) 766-2422.

George L. Miller
URS Corporation