Sandwich Glass Museum facts for kids
The Sandwich Glass Museum is a fascinating place in Sandwich, Massachusetts, where you can discover the amazing history of glass. It displays many beautiful and rare glass items. Some of these were made a long time ago by a famous local factory called the Boston & Sandwich Glass Factory. This factory was started in 1825 by a person named Deming Jarves. They were known for making colorful glass, especially a type called "pressed glass." The museum also has live glassblowing shows and exhibits that explain how different kinds of glass are made and colored. You can also see special displays of modern glass art from artists nearby.
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Exploring the World of Glass
The museum is home to a special furnace for clear glass. This furnace stays super hot, at about 2200 degrees Fahrenheit (1204 degrees Celsius), all day, every day! It only gets turned off once every five years for maintenance. After glass items are made, they go into a special oven called an "annealing oven." This oven slowly cools the new glass creations over a full day. This slow cooling helps stop the glass from cracking.
Watch Glass Come to Life!
One of the most exciting things at the museum is watching live glassblowing demonstrations. These shows happen every hour and last for about 15 minutes. You can see skilled artists shaping hot, gooey glass. They use tools, molds, and even add small bits of colored glass called "frit" to make beautiful designs. The objects they create during the demonstrations change often, depending on the time of year.
A Look Back: The Boston & Sandwich Glass Factory
The original Boston & Sandwich Glass Factory was a very important part of Sandwich's history. It was founded in 1825 and became famous for its unique glass. They mostly made pressed glass, which meant they used molds to shape the hot glass quickly. They were also known for using many bright colors in their glass, making their pieces very special. Even though the factory is no longer working, its beautiful creations live on at the museum.
More to See and Do
Besides the live shows, the museum also plays a historical movie once every hour. This movie tells you more about the history of glassmaking in Sandwich. There are also several galleries, which are like special rooms, each focusing on a different time period or a different way glass was made. You can learn about old techniques and see how glass art has changed over the years.
Take Home a Piece of Glass Art
Before you leave, be sure to visit the museum shop. Here, you can find modern glass art, mostly made by artists from the local area. You can also find items created right there at the museum. It's a great place to find a unique souvenir or a special gift.
External Links
- Sandwich Glass Museum Official Website: http://www.sandwichglassmuseum.org/
