OHIO GLASS MUSEUM WELCOMES VISITORS 

The Ohio Glass Museum, at 124 W. Main Street, Lancaster, Ohio is currently open for daily tours Tuesday through Sunday from 12pm to 4pm.  Group tours can be arranged by calling 740-687-0101.  Please allow 2 days notice when possible.  A docent will be present to get you started and answer any questions.  The OGM Gift Shop will also be open from 12pm to 4pm, Tuesday through Saturday, and for museum tour visitors.  The museum has launched a new program for self-guided tours. Kiosks are programmed with information about exhibits and museum history. 

OGM's Glass Blowing Demonstrations are being held virtually in the auditorium. At this time, Glass Blowing Classes in the Hot Glass Studio may resume at a later date. Mike Shook, Museum Board President, assures our visitors, “social distancing will be observed.  And, we will exercise precautions and make every effort to comply with local, state and federal guidelines. We value the safety of our visitors and volunteers.  Masks will be required in the museum and gift shop. We also have hand sanitizing stations available.  We are sanitizing touched surfaces between tours.”  Please follow the Ohio Glass Museum’s Facebook page and visit our website www.ohioglassmuseum.org for updates.

Donations and memberships can always be made online at www.ohioglassmuseum.org, or by mail to Ohio Glass Museum, 124 W. Main Street, Lancaster, OH 43130.  We urge you to make special donations at this time.  We depend on regular income to keep our doors open.  Lancaster museums offer something for all ages, and we want to remain among them to keep our individual histories and programs available for all.

If you have any questions or concerns, we can be reached at museum@ohioglassmuseum.org, or at 740-687-0101.

Looking forward to seeing you soon at OHIO GLASS MUSEUM.

NEW EXHIBITION OPENS AT OHIO GLASS MUSEUM

The following description of OGM’s newest exhibition is best described by OGM’s art director, Anne Hart Kiphen, who has provided beautiful displays featuring a 2021 donation of Depression Glass and selections from Ohio Glass Museum's Archives Collections.

“La-Di-Da…a journey in glass from functional to fanciful” -

Humans are the only animals who possess the natural longing to alter functional items. This longing is the impetus for the evolution of strictly useful items, to aesthetically pleasing and desirable ones.   In this exhibition of everyday and special occasion glass tableware, we examine the effects of human creativity, as well as the influences of culture and industry on the finished pieces.

The desire to make things that are pleasing to the eye runs very deep in the human existence.  From prehistoric times dating to nearly half a million years ago, and from the findings of endlessly and blessedly curious archaeologists, we know that the human desire to make the tools of our lives what we perceive to be beautiful, has been foremost in every culture and civilization on Earth.  Indeed, it can be said that the greatest driver of human progress has been this desire.

If we think of a very common object, say, a bowl, won’t one perfectly plain, mid-sized bowl do for all purposes?  We can drink from it, eat from it, wash things in it, put flowers in it, use it to transport things, etc. Does it have to be made from more than one material?  Couldn’t they all be the same, either glass, or pottery, or wood?  When we went to buy a bowl, couldn’t there be just one bowl type?   A bowl, is a bowl, is a bowl!   Do there have to be hundreds of choices of different materials, sizes, colors, decorations, forms, etc. etc.  Well, you get the idea.

When we see man-made objects, from ancient tools to modern, that are more beautifully crafted than need be for their basic purposes, we have gone from functional to fanciful, and we are looking at the “la-di-da” factor.

It has been my very great pleasure to have curated this show, assembling glass from the hundreds of pieces that have been donated to the Ohio Glass Museum since its opening in May of 2006.  Our latest large gift to the museum, the Mackie Collection of Depression Glass, will be on display.  Bonnie Mackie’s love of Depression Glass began in the 1950s when she was given several pieces from a family member.   Her collection is a remembrance of a bright spot in a very dark time.  Thanks to this, at the time, inexpensive style of glass, our own Hocking Glass Company survived the Great Depression quite well.  It is my sincere hope that you find this exhibition both educational (functional) and fun (fanciful).

We hope all who are able to visit the museum from now through August 29, 2021, will enjoy the displays of the glassware that we do not use from day to day, but still may have in back of our cupboards or packed away for another day.  Our hours beginning April 6 will be from 12pm to 4pm to visit the exhibition and also the gift shop.

Lots of new items are available in our Gift Shop which has taken on a refreshing new look for the coming seasons.  Other seasonal items may still be available at discounted prices.  If you are looking for a special piece for an upcoming occasion, please ask to see one of the glassblowers who may be able to accommodate your request or idea.

Looking forward to seeing you soon at 124 W. Main Street in Historic Downtown Lancaster.  Call 740.687.0101 for more information, questions and group tour information.   You can also shop on our Online Gift Shop at www.ohioglassmuseum.org.

OHIO GLASS MUSEUM & Glass Blowing Studio

GLASS BLOWING CLASSES ARE CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Flameworking Classes - Flameworking classes are postponed due to Covid-19 restritions until late in 2021.

Marble training sessions cancelled until further notice.

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Ohio Glass Museum is located at 124 W Main St, Lancaster, OH 43130

NEW MUSEUM HOURS:

2021 Hours

April 6, 2021 - Dec.:  Tuesday thru Sunday from 12pm to 4pm -  Closed on Mondays.  

GIFT SHOP HOURS:

REGULAR GIFT SHOP HOURS:

April 6, 2021- Dec.: Tuesday - Sunday 12pm-4 pm - Closed on Mondays.  

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Glassblowing Demos - Demos are available in the auditorium via live streaming at 2pm and 3pm during museum hours.

We are closed on these holidays: New Years Eve and Day, Good Friday and Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Day. 

Please call ahead 740-687-0101 when traveling due to unforeseen changes in museum hours and demos due to studio downtime, glass artists availability, and weather conditions.

LEVEL 1 Snow Emergency - (Check before visiting); LEVEL 2 (Check before visiting); LEVEL 3 (OGM will be closed)  We will attempt to contact you if you have scheduled a class.

Glass Blowing Studio   

Glass Blowing Classes are offered for Individuals or Groups by appointment. Classes are taught by Theresa Sharp. You can now register online. One Day Classes: Blown Glass Ornaments, Glass Witch Balls, Glass Pumpkin, Pulled Glass Flower, Glass Paperweight, Glass Heart Paperweight.

Flameworking Classes - Postponed do to Covid-19 until later in 2021.

Sign-up for Flameworking Classes with glass artist, Theresa Sharp, ages 14 and up. All participants will be required to sign a release of liability form. All glass beads will need to anneal slowly overnight and will be ready for pick up the next day OGM is open. No experience is necessary for any of the classes, Group or Personal.

Membership Information

Choice of General Membership or Special Membership to support the Ohio Glass Museum.

Members enjoy free admission and other benefits.

Ohio Glass Museum is a 501(c)(3) Organization.

Click here for membership brochure to join or renew or renew online.

Membership Information

We had 6 membership categories: Senior 55+, Individual, Family, Patron, Sustainer, and Benefactor.

Members enjoy free admission and other benefits. 

The Ohio Glass Museum is located in Lancaster, Ohio's downtown historic district (map). OGM is within walking distance of The Georgian Museum, Sherman House Museum, Decorative Arts Center of Ohio and the Zane Square Park. After visiting the museum, be sure to stop by our gift shop and checkout are changing displays of OGM's glass blown and flameworked (beading) in-house.  Other bakeware and art glass items are always available for purchase during operating hours: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday and on weekends during museum hours.

Additional Fairfield County maps and information about downtown Lancaster's stores, restaurants, and lodging are available at the Fairfield County Visitor and Convention Bureau (www.visitfairfieldco.org.) located at 158 W. Wheeling Street, Lancaster, OH.