Ohio Glass

摘要

Until I saw a small newspaper article describing the opening of the Glass Museum in Lancaster, Ohio on May 20, 2006, I had not idea that there was such a long tradition in glass making in this state, and in particular, this area of the state. When the Ohio House of Representatives officially designated Lancaster as the Pressed Glass Capital of Ohio, locals planned the establishment of the museum to foster appreciation of this heritage. My curiosity was aroused. The day was a fine one, and I drove the two hours from my home to see, first hand, what such a museum would be like. I was, besides some state dignitaries, probably the only 'outsider' at the ribbon cutting ceremony at noon. Arriving early, I waited outside the building. I could overhear conversations from the others also waiting. I quickly gathered that this first exhibit was drawn, at least in part, from local folks who had either loaned or given, their depression era pressed glass. I also learned that some of these people from Lancaster, a town of a population of 35,335, had worked in the local glass factories, or perhaps it was a relative who had worked there. Many knew each other and were nicely welcomed by the twelve member board of trustees.