Monday, February 21, 2011

Museum of American Glass - Part 1

This past weekend we took a "one tank trip" to visit my parents. For something fun to do we decided to visit the Museum of American Glass at the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center. (Located in New Jersey.)
From early days of glass making (the earliest sample they had was like something made during the Roman Empire in the first century... now that is old!)
Here is a little tidbit from their website:
The first attempt at glassmaking in the New World was in Jamestown, Virginia in 1608. Three later ventures were tried in New York, Philadelphia and Salem, Massachusetts. It was not until 1739 that the first successful glass factory was established by Casper Wistar in Alloway, New Jersey. Wistar defied English policy forbidding all manufacturing in the Colonies.
How about that? the English forbade us from manufacturing anything. Wow. Luckily this did not stop the colonists!
This picture and the one below show some early American made glass.


I highly recommend this museum! The views were fascinating. In my next post I'm going to reveal some of the most beautiful and amazing items I found there... all made from glass!

I'll leave you with this little beauty until then.


4 comments:

Ms.Daisy said...

Love the history and the pictures of some beautiful American made (almost never made!)glass.



Love,
Ms.Daisymau

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

This was a very interesting post, thanks for sharing the info... great photo's too! Love your blog, and just joined as your newest follower! Hope you have a wonderful week!
Blessings~~~ Daphne

Faye said...

Love that aqua colored glass..all of it! Thanks for posting this and the information!
~Faye

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

Interesting! Sounds like a fun thing to do with the family. I love the statues and the blue glass is my favorite!