Pewabic Pottery to begin roof restoration on its 1907 Jefferson Avenue studio

Pewabic Pottery is restoring the roof of its century-old Detroit ceramics studio, and it plans to do the work without closing the doors.

The Detroit ceramics institution says essential roof restoration on its historic Jefferson Avenue building begins Monday, September 14, 2026. The work is expected to run through late November.

The studio at 10125 E Jefferson Ave will stay open during regular hours for the duration. Scaffolding will go up around the building for safety while crews work overhead.

The building is the reason the project carries weight. It is still a working pottery and ceramics education center that draws visitors, the same set of purposes it was built for nearly 120 years ago.

"Our National Historic Landmark building is one of our greatest assets and a centerpiece of the visitor experience, and maintaining and restoring it is an important part of being good stewards of Pewabic's legacy," Executive Director Jim Leija said in the announcement. "This project will help ensure that the Pottery continues to serve our community for generations to come."

For Education Director and Archivist Annie Dennis, the continuity is the point. "One of the remarkable things about Pewabic is that our historic building is still being used for the purpose it was designed for in 1907," she said. "Maintaining that continuity is an important part of preserving Pewabic's history and ensuring it remains a meaningful part of our community for generations to come."

The roof is the first of multiple planned infrastructure improvements across the campus, according to Pewabic. The organization is framing the work as ongoing stewardship of its landmark home rather than a single repair.

Anyone who wants to watch a Detroit landmark get looked after can still stop in while the scaffolding is up. Pewabic posted the full announcement to its news blog on September 9, 2026.