40-550: Blenko Glass Company , located in Milton, West Virginia , makes hand-blown glass . William J. Blenko was born in London, England in 1853. He worked in a glass factory in his youth. In 1893, he emigrated to Kokomo, Indiana , in the US, where he established the first American factory to produce sheet glass for stained glass windows. In 1903, he was forced to close his factory and return to England as
80-446: A building designed by Harrison & Abramovitz in 1951. Gunnar Birkerts designed a new addition, which was opened on May 28, 1980. The Studio opened for classes in 1996. The museum was renovated in 2001, with exhibitions designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates . In 2012, the museum again expanded, with a redesign by Thomas Phifer . The Contemporary Art + Design Wing opened on March 20, 2015. In 2015, Karol Wight
120-734: A collection of Blenko table ware, which is used periodically. In 1980, the Blenko Glass Company started a yearly tradition to produce limited-edition glass bowls celebrating West Virginia's founding birthday. In 2005, a court judgement ordered the company to pay $ 500,000 to its gas supplier Big Two Mile, which precipitated Blenko's financial troubles. In 2009, the company announced it was shutting down production. 20 of its 50 employees had already been laid off. The Blenko Glass Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2011. In August 2012 Blenko Vice President Katie Trippe announced that Blenko Glass
160-428: A female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.0% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age in the town was 42.8 years. 18.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between
200-579: A major concern for glass manufacturers of the time, which drew many prospective glassblowers to the area. His new company was initially named Eureka Glass Company, later changed the name to Blenko. Until the arrival of his son, William H. Blenko, in 1923, he had no employees; he made and sold all of the glass himself. Soon after the onset of the Great Depression , which severely damaged the stained glass market, Blenko began to produce stemware and tableware , after finding two expert glassblowers to work for
240-511: A range of glass topics. It hosts The Rakow Research Library, which houses a collection of materials on the art and history of glass and glassmaking, and is open to the public. The Rakow Research Library, founded as part of the CMOG in 1951, is a public institution that houses a comprehensive collection of materials on the art and history of glass and glassmaking. The library collection ranges from medieval manuscripts to original works of art on paper to
280-583: A result of an economic downturn. His second business venture was in 1909, in Point Marion, Pennsylvania . This endeavor quickly failed, as did a third, in Clarksburg, West Virginia . At that time, Blenko found work at other established Ohio and West Virginia glass companies and purportedly received a job offer from Louis Comfort Tiffany . In 1921, Blenko started another sheet glass company, this time in Milton, West Virginia because of low natural gas prices,
320-584: Is a not-for-profit museum dedicated to glass , first created as the Corning Glass Center, in 1951. It was built by Corning Glass Works (renamed Corning Incorporated in 1989 ) upon the company's 100th anniversary. Thomas S. Buechner , who would later become director of the Brooklyn Museum , was the founding director of the glass museum, serving in the post from 1951 to 1960 and again from 1973 to 1980. The original museum and library were housed in
360-639: Is across the street from Pumpkin Park. The former Morris Memorial Hospital for Crippled Children was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. Milton is located along the Mud River . According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 1.58 square miles (4.09 km ), of which 1.54 square miles (3.99 km ) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km )
400-469: Is included in the cost of admission. At each demonstration, the glassmaker takes a glob of molten glass and shapes it into vases, bowls, or sculptures. Throughout the demonstration, a narrator describes the process, and cameras give viewers a close-up look into the furnaces where the glass is heated. The show gives viewers a look into an ancient Roman technique that is still used today for glass making. Each show lasts between 20 and 40 minutes. The museum takes
440-526: Is part of the Huntington–Ashland metropolitan area . The town was named after Milton Reece, the original owner of the town site. Milton is noted for the historic Mud River Covered Bridge across the nearby Mud River. In 2002, the covered bridge was moved to nearby Pumpkin Park. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The town is also known for Blenko Glass , which
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#1732884105620480-515: Is water. As of the census of 2000, there were 2,206 people, 1,010 households, and 628 families living in the town. The population density was 1,400.0 inhabitants per square mile (539.1/km ). There were 1,116 housing units at an average density of 708.2 per square mile (272.7/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 99.23% White , 0.45% African American , 0.05% Native American , 0.05% Asian , 0.09% from other races , and 0.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.68% of
520-510: The CMOG, the Rakow Commission supports the development of new works of art in glass. This program, which provides $ 25,000 each year, is made possible through the late Dr. and Mrs. Leonard S. Rakow, who were museum fellows and benefactors of the museum. Each commissioned work is added to the museum's collection and is displayed publicly for the first time during the annual seminar. Visitors can watch live glassmaking, or learn to make glass at
560-539: The Contemporary Glass Gallery. The museum's Ben W. Heineman Sr. Gallery of Contemporary Glass focuses on vessels, objects, sculptures, and installations made by international artists from 1975 to 2010. The purpose of the gallery is to show the different ways in which glass is used in art, craft, and design. The gallery is named for the Ben W. Heineman Sr. family, who donated a major collection of contemporary glass to
600-465: The Glassmaking Institute, which offers a two-year program. In June 1972, Hurricane Agnes severely damaged the museum. A case holding 600 rare books was tipped over, and the books were covered by mud and shards of glass panes. Half of the entire library collection was damaged in the flood, and according to Martin and Edwards, 528 of the museum's 13,000 objects had sustained damage. During
640-751: The Hot Glass Show on the road, bringing the demonstration to the public, designers, and other museums in the US and abroad. GlassLab is the design program at the museum. GlassLab's focus on material and process aims to help designers and artists realize new forms, functions and meanings for glass. The program is by invitation only and provides designers with access to explore concepts in glass. GlassLab designers come from various disciplines, such as product, graphic, and fashion design. In public "design performances" or private workshops, designers and glassmakers collaborate and prototype design concepts. The museum actively researches, publishes, and provides lectures about
680-640: The Islamic World, Early Northern European Glass, The Rise of Venetian Glassmaking, Glass in 17th–19th Century Europe, 19th Century European Glass, Asian Glass, Glass in America, Corning: From Farm Town to "Crystal City", Paperweights of the World and Modern Glass. In addition to these galleries, there is the Jerome and Lucille Strauss Study Gallery, Frederick Carder Gallery, Ben W. Heineman Sr. Gallery of Contemporary Glass, and
720-428: The age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.2% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age in
760-423: The ages of 18 and 24; 27.4% were from 25 to 44; 28.4% were from 45 to 64; and 16.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.4% male and 52.6% female. The Mountaineer Opry House, which has since been removed, featured bluegrass music on Saturday nights. Milton also has an extensive Flea Market covering a couple of acres (including parking) with both indoor and outdoor stalls. Milton hosts
800-402: The average family size was 2.78. In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males. The median income for a household in the town
840-557: The company in 1930. However, this did not mean the end of Blenko’s stained glass industry. Blenko Glass Company still produces hand-blown sheet glass for use in stained glass windows, as well as architectural glass . Blenko's early work include providing glass for the stained glass windows of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Prior to 1946, Blenko's tableware output was largely functional and classical in form. Macy's started to sell Blenko products in 1932. The White House has
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#1732884105620880-626: The company's work, the Blenko Museum worked with the Corning Museum of Glass in 2005 to include Blenko in a small survey exhibition organized by Tina Oldknow, Curator of Modern Glass, titled “Decades in Glass: the ‘50s” featuring Wayne Husted's designs. Milton, West Virginia Milton is a town in Cabell County, West Virginia , United States. The population was 2,831 at the 2020 census . It
920-645: The county fair of Cabell County, West Virginia. Milton is also noted for its annual Pumpkin Festival, held in early October. Milton is served by the schools of the Cabell County Board of Education. Primary education is given at Milton Elementary, while middle school students attend Milton Middle School. High school students attend Cabell Midland High School, which opened in August 1994 upon the consolidation of Milton High School and Barboursville High School. Milton holds
960-505: The eighth annual festival of glass was held in Milton, West Virginia. As of 2020 Blenko no longer produces architectural sheet glass. The Blenko Glass Company is housed in a multi-building facility including the Visitor Center, office building and manufacturing, shipping and warehouse facilities. The Visitor Center's first floor contains items available for sale including "seconds", while
1000-408: The extensive recovery efforts, the library occupied an abandoned Acme grocery store across the street from the museum. Altogether, staff and volunteers dried, cleaned, and restored over 7,000 water-logged and frozen books over the next two years. The rare books were sent to Carolyn Price Horton , a leading restoration expert, who disassembled, washed, deacidified , and rebound them. On August 1, 1972,
1040-481: The latest information on techniques used by studio artists. More than 130 archives contain unique material from individual artists, galleries, companies, scholars, and organizations. The library also presents exhibitions featuring rare items from its collection. In 1985, the museum renamed its library the Leonard S. and Juliette K. Rakow Library in honor of donors Dr. and Mrs. Rakow. The collection does not circulate. However,
1080-493: The library is a member of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), an international bibliographic service, and microfiche copies of books on glass and photocopies of periodical articles can be borrowed through interlibrary loan. The Canadian reality glassblowing competition television series Blown Away includes an artist residency at the CMOG as part of its prize. The museum also provided assistance during
1120-740: The museum in 2005. The CMOG offers exhibitions year-round. Past exhibitions have included: Medieval Glass for Popes, Princes and Peasants, East Meets West: Cross-Cultural Influences in Glassmaking in the 18th and 19th Centuries and Mirror to Discovery: The 200-Inch Disk and the Hale Reflecting Telescope at Palomar. Several special exhibitions are offered at the museum and the Rakow Research Library each year, from shows focused on specific artists to major exhibitions on important topics in glass and glass history. Inaugurated in 1986 by
1160-497: The museum reopened with restoration work still underway. The museum's collection of contemporary artworks includes pieces by significant artists such as Lino Tagliapietra , Dante Marioni , Klaus Moje , Karen LaMonte , Dale Chihuly , Libenský / Brychtová , Ginny Ruffner and Josiah McElheny . The galleries include: Glass in Nature, Origins of Glassmaking, Glass of the Romans, Glass in
1200-415: The museum. The museum offers several live glassmaking demonstrations. The Hot Glass Show is a demonstration where one of the museum's glass blowers provides a live glass-blowing demonstration, which is also narrated by another of the glass blowers. The Hot Glass Show is performed at the museum, on the road, and at sea on three Celebrity Cruise ships. At the museum, the Hot Glass Show is offered daily and
1240-409: The population. There were 1,010 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and
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1280-555: The privately owned airport, Ona Airpark , serving the Huntington–Ashland metropolitan area . Corning Museum of Glass The Corning Museum of Glass is a museum in Corning, New York in the United States, dedicated to the art, history, and science of glass. It was founded in 1951 by Corning Glass Works and currently has a collection of more than 50,000 glass objects, some over 3,500 years old. The Corning Museum of Glass (CMOG)
1320-471: The shore of a small, man-made lake bordering the factory, strewn with colorful glass shards which border a small trail that winds around part of the factory. Myers' early work included a series of glass hands missing a finger after he, himself lost a finger in Blenko's workshop. The factory contains eight furnaces that run continuously. The Blenko Museum opened in 2000. Aside from curating year-long exhibitions of
1360-425: The town was 42.2 years. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.8% were from 25 to 44; 28.4% were from 45 to 64; and 18.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.7% male and 53.3% female. According to the 2020 United States Census, the town of Milton had a population of 2,371 people. There were 1,052 households and 624 families living in
1400-453: The town. The population density was 1,573.4 inhabitants per square mile (607.5/km ). There were 1,243 housing units at an average density of 807.1 per square mile (311.6/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 97.6% White , 0.7% African American , 0.1% Asian , 0.5% from other races , and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population. There were 1,132 households, of which 25.6% had children under
1440-447: The town. The population density was 1,270.2 inhabitants per square mile (491.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.5% White, 0.7% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population. Out of the 1,052 households, 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 12.4% had
1480-426: The upper floor contains a small display of Blenko's historical work, primarily early pieces from the 1930s and some experimental pieces and most notably includes a gallery of stained-glass windows made with Blenko sheet glass by different artisans. Attached to the Visitor Center is an observation area, allowing visitors to watch as the glass is blown. Beside the center is a “garden of glass”, installed by Joel Myers, on
1520-431: Was $ 29,348, and the median income for a family was $ 31,786. Males had a median income of $ 31,003 versus $ 19,457 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 15,384. About 16.6% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 28.2% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over. As of the census of 2010, there were 2,423 people, 1,132 households, and 666 families living in
1560-447: Was appointed president and executive director of the museum. She is also curator of ancient and Islamic glass at the museum. In December 2023, the museum opened The Wendell Weeks & Kim Frock Residency Center, an expansion of The Studio from 24,000 square feet (2,200 m ) to 60,000 square feet (5,600 m ). The expansion provides space for artists and students for short and long-term residency. The Residency Center also hosts
1600-516: Was reopening after filing for bankruptcy protection. A reorganization plan was accepted by the court in December 2012, clearing the way for the company to exit bankruptcy in early 2013. The company exited bankruptcy in 2013 and continued to produce art glass for the consumer market. Despite increased fuel costs, a short period of inactivity, and a rapidly changing industry and marketplace, the company continued to produce glass art ware. On August 3, 2015,
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