From Crystal to Carnival - A History of Wheeling Glass

April 29, 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm

Holly McCluskey, Curator of Glass at the Museums of Oglebay Institute, will discuss the history, products and stories of Wheeling’s five major glass tableware companies from 1829-1939. Wheeling’s glass industry was one of the largest and most prolific in the country; over half of all the pressed tableware made in America was made between Pittsburgh and Wheeling. The pieces featured in this program are all highlights at Oglebay Institute’s Glass Museum, which collects, displays and preserves over 3,000 examples of Wheeling glass. The museum focuses on five major companies: Ritchie; Sweeney; Hobbs-Brockunier; Central; and Northwood. The museum has been recently remodeled and reinterpreted, featuring Wheeling made glass in the Artzberger and Lambert Galleries and changing exhibitions in the Frey-Hires Gallery. The museum also has a glass blowing studio where people can watch glass being made and participate in making a paperweight.

Holly has a master’s degree in museum studies from WVU and has been with the Museums since 1984.

In addition to being National Poetry Month, April will feature a Wheeling Glass Takeover, with programs, exhibits, and more!

Lunch With Books Livestream starts at noon on Facebook and YouTube.

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"Lunch With Books" is the library’s flagship program for adult patrons. These lunchtime programs feature authors, poets, musicians, historians, and more every Tuesday at noon. Bring lunch (to the Library Auditorium or your computer), feed your brain!