Revel in the colors, patterns, and types of glass we’ll see during our visits to factories and museums in the glassmaking regions of this state, which played an important role in the history of glassmaking in the United States.
Blenko, the glassmaker that created stained glass for windows at the Washington National Cathedral and the Mormon Temple, invites us to watch master blowers at work in its Milton factory. We also see how Island Mould & Machine makes molds for glass in Wheeling.
At the Huntington Museum of Art, the Ohio Valley glass collection traces the development of glassmaking in the region from the early 18th century to the present (a recent addition is a Dale Chihuly tower). At the Museum of American Glass in Weston, we examine glass both from a historical perspective and as a product made by a dedicated community of workers. The museum houses more than 11,000 pieces of glass plus the National Marble Museum, highlighting American machine-made, contemporary art glass, and 19th-century European sulphide marbles.
Then, we visit St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church to see its six Tiffany stained glass windows. Spend two nights at Oglebay, a 1,700-acre resort nestled in the hills surrounding the city and home to a glass museum, a historic mansion museum, and a glassmaking studio.
As our visits nourish the soul, special meals will nourish the body, including lunch at a private mansion founded as a club in 1890 for those “who enjoy genteel association and fine dining.” The tour leader is Sheila Pinsker.
Wed., May 11, 7 a.m., to Sat., May 14, 5:30 p.m., by bus from the Mayflower Hotel, Connecticut Ave. and DeSales St., N.W., with a pickup stop at the I-270 Exit 26 Urbana carpool parking lot at about 7:55 a.m.
All fees inclusive except as noted below. Participants purchase their own supper on Friday. All other meals are included.
Singles registering at the double-room rate are paired if possible, but must pay the single-room supplement if not. Single-room supplement $212
Glassmaking at the Oglebay studio is available for an additional fee. Detailed information is mailed to participants approximately four weeks prior to departure.
Those taking overnight tours may wish to purchase travel insurance.
