Heritage Glass Museum
25 High Street East
Glassboro, NJ 08028
(856) 881-7468
www.heritageglassmuseum.com
info@heritageglassmuseum.org

Though the building itself had its origin as a Bank, the land upon which it sits once belonged to the Whitney Brothers Glass Works, reflecting Glassboro's long heritage as one of the nation's leading glass manufacturers. The meaning of the town's name is inescapable. Yet even some if its street names remind us of the early giants of the industry, such as Stanger Avenue.

In 1779 several glass blowers, all of the Stanger family, left the Wistar works of Allowaystown, New Jersey to establish a "glass works in the woods" of Gloucester County. The quality of the sands, the abundance of trees for fuel, and the proximity of the Philadelphia market made the area now known as Glassboro ideal for their new venture.

Though the Stanger Glass Works was successful, the company closed in 1781 as Revolutionary War money was devalued. In 1786 Colonels Thomas Heston and Thomas Carpenter purchased the factory.

During the following years the Heston-Carpenter Glass Works was succeeded by the Olive Works, the Harmony Glass Works, the Temperanceville Glass Works, the Whitney Brothers Glass Works, the Owens Bottle Company, and the Owens Illinois Glass Company. Though Owens still operates here, the company now produces closures for glass and metal containers.

The glass industry in Glassboro was once the nations most extensive and best equipped, producing the greatest variety of styles and colors. Alas, we are now in the age of plastic. More practical for some applications but much less romantic. And the skills of blowing or cutting glass are left to a handful of artisans whose wares command a premium price.

Trace the history of glass at the Heritage Museum. Fine examples of historic bottles, glass, and related items are on display. Museum staff provide educational talks, and exhibits can be held at other secure institutions such as schools, libraries and colleges.