Oglebay Institute facts for kids

Oglebay Institute is a special kind of non-profit group that started on July 29, 1930. It's located in Wheeling, West Virginia, USA. This organization helps people learn and have fun through different programs and places.

The Story of Oglebay Institute

The idea for Oglebay Institute came from a man named Earl W. Oglebay. He owned a large country estate. When he passed away, he wanted his estate to become a public park. He hoped it would be a place for everyone to enjoy, play, and learn.

Part of his dream was to have an organization that would offer cultural and educational activities. So, Oglebay Institute was created in 1930. It was set up to manage these fun and learning programs. The park itself, now known as Oglebay Park, was given to the City of Wheeling in 1926. It was given with the condition that it would always be used for public fun and education.

Oglebay Institute's main goals were:

• To offer educational and fun activities at Oglebay Park and other places.
• To work with the Park Commission and other groups to create learning and fun programs.

Today, Oglebay Institute has five main areas of focus. These include programs in dance, learning about the environment, performing arts, local history, and visual arts.

The Institute runs six different places where these programs happen. These include the Glass Museum, the Mansion Museum, the Stifel Fine Arts Center, the School of Dance, Towngate Theatre & Cinema, and the Schrader Environmental Education Center.

Explore Oglebay Institute's Museums

The Mansion Museum: A Trip Back in Time

The Mansion Museum was once the summer home of Earl W. Oglebay. He bought it in 1900. Now, it's a museum filled with old furniture and items from different time periods. It shows what life was like in Wheeling, from early pioneer days to the fancy Victorian era. The mansion is located inside Oglebay Park in Wheeling. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The Glass Museum: Sparkling History

The Glass Museum displays over 3,000 examples of glass and china made in Wheeling between 1820 and 1939. A very special item here is the Sweeney Punch Bowl. It's the biggest piece of cut lead glass in the world! You can also see exhibits that look like an old pharmacy and a general store. Sometimes, you can even watch people show how glass was made. This museum is also in Oglebay Park.

Stifel Fine Arts Center: Art and Music for Everyone

The Stifel Fine Arts Center offers many ways to experience visual and performing arts. It has changing art shows in its Hart Galleries. You can also enjoy jazz concerts, wine tasting events, and special musical shows called cabarets.

This center is also a place where you can learn hands-on. It offers many classes for both kids and adults. These classes cover different types of art. The main offices for Oglebay Institute are also located at the Stifel Center. You can find the Stifel Center at 1330 National Road in Wheeling. The building itself, called Edemar, is a historic place listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1992.

Schrader Environmental Education Center: Discover Nature

The Schrader Environmental Education Center is a great place to learn about nature. It has trails like the A.B. Brooks Discovery Trail System. There's also a Children's Awareness Area and the EarthTrek Exhibit Hall. Outside, you can explore the Corson Wildflower and Butterfly Gardens.

This center offers many hands-on activities and seasonal events. It's also a good example of "Green Architecture" because it's built in an environmentally friendly way. The Schrader Center also runs the Terra Alta Mountain Camp in Terra Alta, West Virginia. The main center is located in Oglebay Park in Wheeling.

Oglebay Institute's School of Dance: Move and Groove

The School of Dance offers a wide variety of dance classes. You can learn ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, Irish step, belly dance, and even ballroom dancing. They also have fitness classes. The school has performance groups and puts on dance shows. These shows entertain people in the area and give dancers a chance to perform for an audience.

Towngate Theatre & Cinema: Lights, Camera, Action!

The Towngate Theatre & Cinema is a place where you can watch plays and movies. It's located at 2118 Market Street in Wheeling, West Virginia, USA.