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Alfred Twenty First Century Group, Inc.
Alfred Twenty First Century Group, Inc.

The Terra Cotta Initiative

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TIMELESS TERRA COTTA

Ceramics and terra cotta are in our DNA. Since 1900 they have driven the history of Alfred, and are now driving our future.

The Past

“Around the beginning of the Twentieth Century (1900) there were two plants manufacturing terra cotta products in Alfred & Alfred Station.

This enabled many area buildings, houses, barns, and sheds to be built with terra cotta roofs, many with tile “seconds”. The tile production processes were being newly developed, and there was a lot of trial and error. From these endeavors arose a concern that almost nowhere were ceramic manufacturing processes being taught. The result was that New York State became involved, and the NYS School of Clayworking was founded at Alfred University. Eventually this school evolved into the present day New York State College of Ceramics, with world class ceramic technology and art. At the same time, in the early 1900s, ceramic tile manufacturing was a prime driver of the Alfred economy, employing many people. As we reflect on how ceramics started in Alfred, we can see how it brought prosperity, growth, and education. Now, and for the future, we have a new vision of how terra cotta will once again be a force to create and build a truly unique design and environment for the Alfred Community”.

How Will this Be Done?

The Future

It is a large undertaking, but not a terribly difficult one. Consider these factors:
  1. The terra cotta initiative has a head start. The legacy roofs around Alfred, most over 100 years old, already give Alfred a special aura. First, we need to preserve them, as some have been replaced in recent years.
  2. As there are two institutions of higher learning in Alfred, one including the NYS College of Ceramics, there are many educational resources that can be utilized in order to give students practical experience as part of their college learning. Business schools teach marketing and communication, which can function to promote the terra cotta community design. The engineering schools teach manufacturing technology, which can help produce new terra cotta. The art school teaches design and sculpture, which can produce terra cotta art around the community. And there is even a school of architecture, which can help with new terra cotta structure designs. Alfred State has an Applied Technology campus, where practical vocational skills are learned. All totalled, the “in Alfred” resources are great.
  3. We have a Terra Cotta Committee that focuses on maintaining the existing terra cotta, and on designing and installing new installations.
  4. We have connections with two present day terra cotta companies that have offered support.
  5. We have developed some marketing materials and a list of potential projects (attached below), one of which has been started.
  6. We have the support of the local Village government.
  7. We are restructuring our 501(C)3 organization (Alfred Twenty First Century Group, A21CG), in order to recruit new members and carry out the work.
With help from all of these sources, the potential is great. The foundation is in place. The building process, now started, needs to be accelerated and some projects completed.
See Our Projects
Additional Projects
terra cotta bldg
Terra Cotta Co. office building
Total Bandstand structure to be restored
Total bandstand structure to be restored
20230910 110844
historic roof tile samples
a21cg logo v2 blackbg

The Alfred Twenty First Century Group (A21CG) is a 100% volunteer 501(C)3 non-profit founded over 30 years ago with the mission of community preservation and enhancement. A21CG is ready to continue that work, and also to foster a positive community culture.

Alfred Twenty First Century Group, Inc.

PO Box 1182
Alfred NY 14802

alfredny21cg@gmail.com

Bob Volk
+(585) 648-6560
(Bob’s phone, please leave a message.)

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A21CG.org © 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Additional Projects

Following is a list of potential projects that can be used to infuse a visually obvious terra cotta design presence into our community. This will speak of our unique ceramic heritage to all who enter Alfred, and enable us to introduce them to our world class ceramic and glass technology and ceramic art:

  1. Terra cotta (T-C) sculptures randomly placed around the village (created by students or whoever). This would be a good use for salvaged roof tiles that have been saved at various locations in the area.
  2. T-C birds – around the community – in trees, on fences, in lawns, on porches and roofs.
  3. T-C walls – walls and fences covered or capped with a tile veneer.
  4. T-C decorative inset tiles – inset into wood surfaces such as posts and beams.
  5. T-C cladding – Posts and Beams on any structure can be covered with a T-C “shell”.
  6. Annual limited edition T-C tiles – designed, produced, and sold each year as a fundraiser.
  7. A T-C clock – a large village clock.
  8. T-C entry arches or columns over or beside the roads that enter Alfred, marking entry into T-C town.
  9. T-C planters around the Village and Town – can be many designs and sizes.
  10. Rest spots randomly located in the area with T-C benches and T-C tile roof shelters.
  11. *The Village bandstand and corner gazebo – upgrade and trim out with T-C in many ways..
  12. *T-C house numbers – can be placed on every house.
  13. T-C trim and caps on road bridges.
  14. There can be 3 or 4 short creek bank trails that are T-C paved and trimmed..
  15. A Village entry sidewalk trail can be T-C marked and trimmed..
  16. A T-C village fountain.
  17. A T-C canopy on the business block, to replace the awnings.
  18. T-C trims added to the AU and ASC signs.
  19. T-C themed murals, depicting T-C history and production.
  20. Lighting – T-C cladding added to lamp poles and light fixtures.
  21. T-C borders can be installed along walks and around gardens and lawns.
  22. T-C street signs can be designed and constructed.
  23. T-C historical signs and building markers.
  24. T-C sidewalk pavers can replace the crumbling concrete pavers.
  25. A T-C art, visitor center, and small museum – make your own tile, throw a pot, and learn T-C history.
  26. Construct a giant T-C turtle (Terra the turtle?) Her shell can be T-C tiles. This will be the visitor photo op.
  27. Have a T-C turtle mascot, a terrapin – She could be coordinated with the giant turtle, “Terra”.
  28. T-C sidewalk waste receptacles.
  29. A T-C maze or labyrinth.
  30. T-C tiles salvaged from roof replacements can be used by residents for whatever projects they can imagine.
  31. A T-C Sundial
  32. T-C  roadside “posts” located on area roads, pointing to Alfred.
  33. T-C signs that say “Smile you’re in Terra Cotta Land”.
  34. T-C business signs
  35. T-C mileage to other places signs.
  36. Memory tiles – Graduating students can select and engrave their name and class year on a special T-C tile, to commemorate their class year. This can also be done for alumni from past years.

Possible applications for terra cotta design are unlimited. We know of no other community that is using terra cotta in this way, or has the abilities we have to do it. We have resources through the schools in our valley that can help with marketing, design, architecture, production, construction, sculpture and art. Everyone can be involved in this project, and it will help students connect with our community. It will be an emphatic statement that Alfred is “Outside of Ordinary”, and the world center for ceramics.

Any / all additional ideas are welcome. Please email them to alfredny21cg@gmail.com. Thank you.

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PO Box 1182
Alfred NY 14802

alfredny21cg@gmail.com
+(585) 648-6560

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Alfred Twenty First Century Group, Inc.

PO Box 1182
Alfred NY 14802

alfredny21cg@gmail.com
+(585) 648-6560
(Bob’s phone, please leave a message)

Main Street Flowers

Over the past 25 years the timber has become weathered, and the overhanging trees have shed leaves and discolored the tile roof. It is therefore ripe for a freshening up of the same nature as is inprocess with the gazebo. As it is a much larger structure, it will take a lot more work and materials. It alsohas the potential to be equipped for other uses, such as with a movie screen. The total project would include cleaning and staining, roof cleaning, and repair of a few structural elements. It could also include terra cotta cladding on posts and beams, additional tile roof on the walkways, an added lighting system, a picnic pavilion in front of the right wing, and terra cotta pavers on the high wear area in front of the structure. This would affirm and enhance the stated original purpose of the bandstand.

Main Street Flowers

Over the past 25 years the timber has become weathered, and the overhanging trees have shed leaves and discolored the tile roof. It is therefore ripe for a freshening up of the same nature as is inprocess with the gazebo. As it is a much larger structure, it will take a lot more work and materials. It alsohas the potential to be equipped for other uses, such as with a movie screen. The total project would include cleaning and staining, roof cleaning, and repair of a few structural elements. It could also include terra cotta cladding on posts and beams, additional tile roof on the walkways, an added lighting system, a picnic pavilion in front of the right wing, and terra cotta pavers on the high wear area in front of the structure. This would affirm and enhance the stated original purpose of the bandstand.

Christmas Decors

Over the past 25 years the timber has become weathered, and the overhanging trees have shed leaves and discolored the tile roof. It is therefore ripe for a freshening up of the same nature as is inprocess with the gazebo. As it is a much larger structure, it will take a lot more work and materials. It alsohas the potential to be equipped for other uses, such as with a movie screen. The total project would include cleaning and staining, roof cleaning, and repair of a few structural elements. It could also include terra cotta cladding on posts and beams, additional tile roof on the walkways, an added lighting system, a picnic pavilion in front of the right wing, and terra cotta pavers on the high wear area in front of the structure. This would affirm and enhance the stated original purpose of the bandstand.

The Bandstand On The Village Green

Over the past 25 years the timber has become weathered, and the overhanging trees have shed leaves and discolored the tile roof. It is therefore ripe for a freshening up of the same nature as is inprocess with the gazebo. As it is a much larger structure, it will take a lot more work and materials. It alsohas the potential to be equipped for other uses, such as with a movie screen. The total project would include cleaning and staining, roof cleaning, and repair of a few structural elements. It could also include terra cotta cladding on posts and beams, additional tile roof on the walkways, an added lighting system, a picnic pavilion in front of the right wing, and terra cotta pavers on the high wear area in front of the structure. This would affirm and enhance the stated original purpose of the bandstand.

Terra Cotta Benches
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Main St./w. Univ. St Corner Gazebo

We could learn; how to do, what to do, and how long such a project might take, while working on a small structure. Therefore, we started on it, with pressure washing to clean and brighten up the wood. Sean Hyland volunteered and did the main roof tile repair. Days later, on a student service day, we started staining the wood a terra cotta color. This was the start of the cleaning and staining, which we followed with more of the same, so that now the most visible part of the structure has been done. A small portion toward the back remains to be done. A chemical cleaner was applied to the roof tiles. Thecomposite benches were effectively cleaned and some repair done, and a trial cleaning was done on the ground pavers. Finally, we added a banner across the front to make an “Alfred” statement. People can now get a beginning idea of what can be done and what it will look like. There are other finishing touches that can further brighten up the gazebo, but the work and learning has started in earnest. In the spring the cleaning and staining will be finished, and perhaps a light string can be added to the outline of the structure to highlight it and make it sparkle.

Life was hard

… for the early pioneers, and those who followed, as they worked to clear the land, built homes, and attempted to live on the crops and livestock they raised. As people got settled and land was better cleared, they were able to focus on businesses other than farming. Commerce began to thrive as products were made for sale, both locally and regionally; for example, potash, maple sugar, cheese, and surplus crops.

As most of the early settlers were Seventh Day Baptists, they brought their ideals and common religious practices to Alfred: ideals that strongly influenced the development of the town for over one hundred and fifty years. Their Saturday Sabbath-keeping meant that businesses were closed on Saturdays and open on Sundays. They were fairly liberal minded. As a result, they were strong abolitionists who worked to abolish slavery by vocally opposing it, participated in the Underground Railroad, and volunteered to fight in the Civil War. They were also much more open in their attitude toward women’s rights than most other people of their time.

The 1851 opening of the Erie Railroad had a major effect on day-to-day life in Alfred. Agricultural goods (including dairy and cheese products) were now easily shipped to larger markets and travel between cities was opened up as passenger trains ran the lines. A notable section of the railroad, “Tip Top” Is just over the hill from Alfred. it was so named because it’s the highest point on the Erie line between New York City and Chicago. Early steam trains had to work hard to make it over the top.

Small and large businesses flourished in the town during the nineteenth century as did the educational system. The Alfred Select School opened in 1836 to provide an education beyond the local one room schoolhouses. Open to both men and women, it soon grew and became Alfred Academy in 1843 and was incorporated as Alfred University in 1857. Due to the liberal nature of the townspeople and to strong leaders, the students were exposed to women’s rights and equality for all people at an unusually early time. Famous speakers often came to town: Frederick Douglass, Julia Ward Howe, Sojourner Truth, and Susan B. Anthony, to name a few. 

The Celadon Terra Cotta Company, opened in 1888 and was soon producing decorative roof tiles made from the local shale, which, when fired in a kiln, turned a distinctive terra cotta reddish color. Many structures in Alfred still have roofs constructed with these tiles, which give our community a special aura, and speak of this important ceramics history. Celedon co-founder John Jake Merrill, also a New York State Tax Commissioner, was instrumental in obtaining the passage of the 1900 bill establishing the New York State School of Clayworking and Ceramics. This became the current New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. A second factory, operated by the Rock Cut Clay Company (later called the Alfred Clay Company), opened in Alfred Station and produced bricks and roofing tiles.

Continuing the expansion of educational offerings, the School of Agriculture opened with more state funding in 1908 as New York State was looking for ways to provide rural youths instruction in agriculture and domestic science. This school was eventually incorporated into the State University of New York when that formed in 1948, and is today known as Alfred State College. 

While the institutions of higher education play a central role in Alfred’s daily activities, it’s important also to remember that no town is complete or flourishing without volunteer organizations that work toward noble and good causes, or the businesses that provide essential goods and services. Alfred’s history, past and present, is full of such organizations and businesses, some of which have operated for decades while others lasted only a short time.

Many wonder how Alfred got its name but no one can give a definitive answer. The most likely theory is that it is named for Alfred the Great, king of the Saxons in England, also known as the “Education King.” Whatever the truth, the community of Alfred prides itself not only on its role in education, (preschool through doctoral programs) but also on its longstanding and rich ceramics heritage. 

This Alfred History has been adapted and condensed from a history of Alfred written by Laurie Lounsberry Meehan, Alfred historian, and was originally written as the introduction to the book “Alfred and Alfred Station”.