Museum of Connecticut Glass facts for kids
The Museum of Connecticut Glass is a special place in Coventry, Connecticut. It teaches visitors all about glassmaking from the 1800s. The museum opened its doors on February 12, 1994. You can find it inside the historic Captain John Turner House, which was built in 1813.
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Exploring Connecticut's Glass History
The museum is located in Coventry because this town was once a big center for making glass. Glass factories operated here from about 1814 to 1848. The Captain John Turner House is very important to this history. Captain John Turner was one of the first owners of a glass factory in Coventry. The old factory's foundation can still be seen nearby.
Digging Up Glass Secrets
The Captain John Turner House is one of the last buildings left from the National Historic Glass Factory District. The museum is currently doing an exciting project. They are digging up old glass pieces in a cornfield next to the house. An early owner, Rufus Chamberlain, used to spread glass shards there. He thought it would help "sweeten and aerate the soil." This archaeological dig helps us learn more about how glass was made long ago.
Other Famous Glass Factories
The Museum of Connecticut Glass also studies and saves the history of many other glass factories. These factories were important across Connecticut. Here are some of them:
- The Pitkin Glassworks in Manchester: This factory made glass from 1783 to about 1830.
- The Mather Glassworks, also near Manchester: It operated from 1806 until 1821.
- The West Willington Glass Co. in West Willington: This factory was in business from 1814 to 1872.
- The Glastonbury Glassworks in Glastonbury: It ran from 1816 until about 1833.
- The New London Glassworks in New London: This factory operated from 1856 until after 1868.
- The Westford Glass Co. in Westford: It was in business from 1857 to 1873.
- The Meriden Flint Glass Co. in Meriden: This factory made glass from 1876 to 1888.
New Projects at the Museum
The museum is always working on new things. They are currently restoring the Turner House to keep it in good shape. They are also creating a very special project called "Sun-Fired Glass." This will be the first glassmaking operation in the world that uses only solar power!
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