National Imperial Glass Collectors Society

Imperial’s History and Its Workers

National Imperial Glass Collectors Society
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Dedicated to the memory of Imperial, its' employees and the
beautiful glassware they created, the Museum offers an
excellent opportunity to learn about Imperial and view
extensive displays of Imperial glassware.

3200 Belmont Street
Bellaire, OH 43906

740-671-3971

Hours:
April 1 - October 31
Thur. - Sat.
11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Admission: $3.00 per person
Present your NIGCS Membership
Card to gain free admission.

The National Imperial
Glass Museum
Bellaire, Ohio

Imperial’s Glassware

These will provide an additional insight into Imperial’s history, including some of the people who played a significant role in creating such beautiful glassware. In a separate display area are numerous tools and implementsoriginally used in Imperial’s
                                    Mould Shop. This specific display has
                                    been coordinated by Island Mould Co.
                                    of Wheeling, WV. Other original
                                    implements and glass from Ohio Valley
                                    Glass & Artifacts Museum (OVGAM)
                                    can also be viewed.

National Imperial Glass Collectors Society

For news on Museum Activities visit

Museum News Updates

The Museum’s archival documents are in the process of being preserved and catalogued. Access for research purposes will require advance notice and appointment. Please contact the Museum’s Curator for information governing Archival Policies.

Gift Shop

Archives

Begin your visit to the Museum by viewing a video presentation tracing Imperial’s eighty-year history. After touring the glass display rooms, take the time to peruse the gallery of portraits, original photographs and advertising materials.

For eighty years Imperial produced a diverse array of hand-crafted glass items. At the onset, production ranged from utilitarian glassware to electric and gas lampshades. Then over the next twenty years the company transitioned to making pressed patterns,
Iridescent Ware (early Carnival), Free Hand and
Lead Lustre. Depression & Elegant patterns,
beverage ware, Cathay and Milk Glass would
follow from the 1930's to 1950's. Slag Glass,
reissued Carnival, Collectors Crystal, Peachblow,
and numerous gift-type glassware would be made
before the company would close its doors in 1984.

Two of Imperial's best known designs originated in the 1930's. The first was Cape Cod in 1931, followed by Candlewick in 1936. These two pattern lines proved to be exceedingly popular with buyers for nearly fifty years. In fact, Candlewick became one of the company's biggest success stories. Today Candlewick is the line most people readily equate with the Imperial Glass Corporation. On display at the Museum are many fine examples of Imperial glassware created from 1904 to 1984. Your self-guided tour offers an
overview of how Imperial's productions mirror the
trends of the American Hand Made Glassware
industry as the interests of the consumer changed
throughout the 20th Century.

Available in the Gift Shop
are selected
reference books
and video tapes
on Imperial
glassware
and souvenir
glass items.