Article by Gayle Manley
After months of work accomplished by the giving hearts and hands of volunteers, a new Duncan & Miller Glass Museum in Western Pennsylvania is ready to greet the public. The original 1200 square foot museum location on Jefferson Avenue in Washington, Pennsylvania had long ago established itself as a popular tourist destination and a must-see attraction for glass collectors. At the new museum, with its expansive 12,000 square feet, interactive displays and period-appointed rooms, visitors will be offered an even deeper look into regional history and Duncan glassmaking.
The Duncan & Miller Company (previously George Duncan & Sons) was a world-renowned manufacturer of high-quality glass products from the latter half of the 1800s until its plant closure in 1954. Many glassmakers like Duncan built factories in Western Pennsylvania to take advantage of the region’s natural resources, transportation routes and skilled labor pool. Generations of glass-worker families still reside in the area and many descendants have contributed Duncan glass, mementos or their time to construction of the new museum.
The museum has become a reality after many years as a part of the strategic plan of the National Duncan Glass Society. The nonprofit society was formed in 1973 with a goal of celebrating and preserving the heritage of Duncan glassmaking. As the museum’s sponsor, Society members conduct tours, organize and staff events, maintain a research library and most recently, have donned their hardhats for construction. The Society acquired a former medical clinic building that required renovation to meet the museum’s needs. Society President Jon Day noted that one of the most positive aspects of the seven-month project was the willingness to help shown by so many volunteers. From the September 2018 demolition day to removal of interior walls to painting, carpentry or preparation for the opening, the team continuously showed up with enthusiasm and commitment.
When the museum opens on April 4, 2019 at its new location, 100 Ridge Ave., Washington, Pennsylvania, visitors will notice more than a few impressive changes. A Society volunteer with whom I spoke was excited about the accessibility improvements that the new location affords the public. For example, the parking lot has space for more than 40 individual vehicles. In addition, tour buses can now be accommodated with ample room to park and safely board passengers. The Society has future plans to reach out to travel firms to encourage tours. Access and support for individuals with disabilities has also been improved with ramps and installation of other service aids.
Upon entry to the museum, visitors will be greeted by a brilliant mirror-backed showcase filled with one of Duncan’s most iconic products – swans. Stunning colors and styles of Pall Mall, Sylvan and Viking Swans will be on view. In fact, all the showcases in the museum have been upgraded in quality to provide more display capacity and better lighting. One worker commented that the glass displays have increased five-fold or more over the prior location and will include products by select non-Duncan glass companies. Day added that many displays will be interactive and that case contents will rotate frequently.
Another new feature attraction are period-appointed rooms that have been designed and accessorized with authentic period furnishings and Duncan Glass products. One such room will depict an elegant dining room of Victorian times – from floor to tabletop to walls. Did you know that Duncan once produced glass shades for sconces and fluid lamps? After more than 100 years, these very items have endured and shine bright in this exhibit.
A second dining room is presented in the popular mid-century dining style. Here visitors will be able to see how “modern era” dining had evolved and a variety of products that made Duncan & Miller a household name with brides and homemakers.
Glass collectors will appreciate the time and investment made to showcase the glassmaking process and role of the skilled artisan. While production tools were on display at the prior museum location, space constraints limited the ability to place these items in context with other manufacturing artifacts. Much work is ongoing to enhance this glassmaking exhibit. For example, the lower level is planned to house a nineteenth century hand press and a glass mold exhibit. The lower level will also maintain an open glass storage gallery, climate-controlled archives, and the museum’s extensive research library. In the future, the Society will offer a behind-the-scenes tour of this area upon request.
From April 4 through December 2019, the Duncan & Miller Glass Museum will be open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone). Appointments for groups or other hours may be made by contacting a docent via phone or thru forms at www.duncan-miller.org. Mark your calendar to visit the new museum this Spring and plan a return trip for the 44th Annual Antiques Show & Sale to be held July 13-14. The Show welcomes dealers from across the country. Please visit the National Duncan Glass Society on Facebook or at the website shown above for more information.
