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National Imperial Glass Collectors Society

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June 2008 Museum Update

The National Imperial Glass Museum opened on April 3, right on schedule. Museum hours remain Thursday thru Saturday, 11:00a.m. to 3:oop.m. Special group tours may be arranged for other times. Phone 740.671.3971, or email museum@ImperialGlass.org. As in the past, the Museum will close for the season on the last Saturday in October.

The Museum is located at 3200 Belmont Avenue in Bellaire, Ohio. Admission remains at $3.00, and our Museum participates in a much expanded Glass Pass program including 12 sister glass museums throughout the region. Discounted admissions are available with Glass Pass. For further information go to www.GlassPass.org.

Many displays were enhanced during our closed season this year, including rearrangements to include many additional pieces in nearly all patterns and categories. Pieces unique to Imperial's history and production items continue to be donated and acquired to complete the Imperial story.

Many Imperial reference books are available for purchase at the Museum, as are NIGCS items and small Imperial Glass items to help you remember your visit.

Please schedule a visit to the National Imperial Glass Museum - our staff and docents can guarantee your learning experience!

 

June 2006 Museum Update

The Museum opened this year at the beginning of April. The immediate focus was to make ready for the annual NIGCS Convention June 1-4, 2006. Over the course of the winter, exensive work was done updating he amjority of the displays in the Mueum. A special Candlewick display was assembled using cut and etched pieces to go along with the Glass Display at the Show and Sale. Also, the display case inside the entryway was redone to reflect the 30th Anniversary theme of the Convention.

Donations of glassware and Imperial memorabilia items continue to come into the Museum. A large Candlewick photograph that used to hang in the offices at Imperial was donated in memory of Bob Garrison. All Donated and In Honor Of glassware have been recorded in an attractive binder for all to view.

With new items in the Gift Shop, updated displays and many other changes, the Museum looks forward to the 2006 season. As in the past, it will coninue to be a participant in the Glass Pass program.

April 2005 Museum Update

The Museum opened for its' third season of full operation on April 1, 2005. This year the Museum will be participating in the Glass Pass program. Bearers of a Glass Pass are able to visit a number of Glass Museums at a reduced admission rate.The gift shop selection of Imperial reference books has been significantly expanded. Additional gift items have also been added.

Please note that beginning this year the admission price has been increased to $3.00. NIGCS members will continue to be admitted without charge with their Membership Card.

June 2004 Museum Update

Our second season of operations is well underway.Much of efforts this spring were focused on getting ready for Convention and updating all the displays. The new Workbench Display is complete thanks to generous donations from John and Tom Weishar and Frank Moore. A new Stretch Glass Display is also complete thanks to help from the Stretch Glass Society.Our Library continues to grow and the Gift Shop has many new educational and souvenir items.

Please note the change in hours starting with this season. The Museum is open Thursdays through Saturday, 11:00AM to 3:00PM.

 

June 2003 Museum Update

We did it! Under sunny skies the Dedication and Grand Opening Ceremonies for the National Imperial Glass Museum were held on Thursday, June 5, 2003. A gathering of over 300 people enjoyed a program which included remarks by state and local officials, NIGCS President Paul Douglas, Chairman Mike Wilson and Curator Joan Cimini. Following a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in which the honor of cutting the ribblon was given to a surprised Lucile Kennedy, everyone had a chance to enjoy the Museums' displays of Imperial Glass well into the evening.

The Museum's normal operating hours will be Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM through October 31, 2003. Work continues on signage, additional displays and rounding out the Museums' staff. The gift shop is open and well stocked with souvenirs and educational materials. Admission is $2.00 and is free to NIGCS members.

May 2003 Museum Update

Final prepartions for our Grand Opening and Dedication Ceremonies are nearly complete.. All of the glass displays are basically done although we will continue to fine tune them in the time remaining. A special display commemorating Ohio's Bicentennial is also being finalized. Our focus is shifting to preparing for the actual ceremonies themselves. Once again there is a lot to do!

A large turnout is expected for the Grand Opening. The event has been anticipated for along time and is open to NIGCS members and the public. Following the Ribbon Cutting ceremenoy, the Museum will have an Open House so everyone will have an opportunity to view and enjoy the numerous glass displays. Beginnning the next day, Friday, June 6th, the Museum will begin normal operating hours which will be Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM through October 31, 2003.

January 2003 Museum Update

As of mid-January, the interior renovations at the Museum are just about completed, and only two more cases need cleaning. New glass doors and shelves have arrived for some other existing cases which are being renovated. This restoration work was made possible through a generous cash donation by the Stretch Glass Society, in honor of Berry Wiggins, one of the founding members of that Society. Two new free-standing, custom-designed and built, hexagonal display cabinets arrived on January 19, all the way from Florida. These have been generously donated to the Museum by the cabinetmaker and his wife, Juan & Marie Leiva, long-time members of the NIGCS.

Next on the Curator¹s agenda is to get the offices fully set up. The Nora Pearce Candlewick Collection is being moved into the Museum and currently being inventoried. After that, the major task of washing all the Museum¹s g;ass inventory will commence. Meanwhile, all the Museum¹s windows have been measured and are awaiting the delivery of new blinds. Little by little, progress is being made toward the Museum¹s Grand Opening Celebration to be held on Thursday, June 5. So far everything seems to be moving along right on schedule!

July 2002

Museum Progress Update

Operation Display Click Here

May 2002

The NIGCS has announced their new brochure featuring the National Imperial Glass Museum is now available. The brochure describes the reasons for the establishment of the Museum and outline plans for its' funding and operation. Anyone interested can download the brochure at the link listed below. Hard copies can be obtained by contacting Mike Wilson NIGCS, Publicity mikewlson@adelphia.net

Click Here to Download Brochure. Please wait patiently while file opens.

April 2001

NIGCS Announces Museum Building Acquisition

Paul Douglas, President of the National Imperial Glass Collectors Society, today announced the purchase of a building at 3210 Belmont Street in Bellaire, Ohio for the purpose of establishing the National Imperial Glass Museum. The building was formerly owned by the Belmont Community Hospital.

As Mr. Douglas observed, "This represents a giant step forward in the culmination of a search that has taken many years and has involved the efforts of many individuals without whose dedication this would never have been possible. The unwavering support and encouragement of the City of Bellaire has always helped us to know that, one day, we would be able to take this step."

The NIGCS has further announced that the planned President's Welcome Reception scheduled for Thursday night at this year's Convention will be changed to a Museum Building Open House in order to give early arriving Convention attendees an opportunity to view the building. Additional viewing hours will be scheduled during the Convention weekend.

The opening of a museum has been the major goal of the NIGCS which, this year, marks its' 25th anniversary. The National Imperial Glass Museum will feature displays of Imperial Glassware as well as other Bellaire glassware from the Ohio Valley Glass and Artifacts Museum and will be dedicated to the glassware and people who worked at Imperial. Thus, the story of Imperial, the largest and most diverse of the companies that made up the American hand-made glass industry, will not be forgotten.

An opening date of June 2002, coinciding with the NIGCS' Annual Convention, has been targeted for the opening of the Museum's first phase following a period of design and renovation.

Our Society is raising money for the construction and an endowment fund for it's operation. Donations of money and glassware are needed to make this goal a reality. All donations are sincerely appreciated.