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Corning Museum of Glass

© Judith Stock

The most popular attraction in Western New York State is the Corning Museum of Glass, located in Corning, New York, is dedicated to enhancing the public's knowledge and interest in glass. The exhibits allow visitors to look at glass differently and instill an appreciation for the decorative and useful substance called glass.

Opened in 1951, the Glass Center started as a pair of buildings with an elegant glass box that served as the visitors' center. An addition was added in 1972 to the original building and factory. Finally the most recent expansion includes a 31,000 sq.ft., $60 million renovation and expansion to called the Glass Center 2000 project.

Visitors begin their tour watching a film that takes the visitor on a visual tour of glass in the 80-seat Nature of Glass Theater.

The glass collection in three galleries contains more than 30,000 objects representing every country and historical period in which glassmaking has been practiced. Objects in the collection date back to Egypt 3,500 years ago. The collection presents outstanding achievements in glass design and craftsmanship through the ages and includes the following: Gazelle Bowl, a classic example of American Art Deco design and a masterpiece of Steuben Glass. Etched gazelle dance around a heavy bowl of colorless lead crystal. A Frank Lloyd Wright Window taken from a 1911 designed building in Riverside, Illinois for the Avery Coonley family. The panel displays a variation on the theme of a parade with balloons, confetti, and an American flag. A Tiffany Lamp cir. 1900, which is a leaded glass lamp, bronze base and finial by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Covered Wedding Baskets from Sumatra around 1930 to 1950, covered in natural fibers, fabric, shells and multicolored glass beads.

Live narrated demonstrations of glassblowing are presented throughout the day on a stage that overlooks the world famous Steuben Factory. On the overhead monitors visitors can even see the inside of a glass furnace and marvel to the transformation of glass into a sparkling vase or an animal shape.

The Hall of Science and Technology, the Sculpture Gallery, the Juliette K. and Leonard S. Rakow Research Library, the Auditorium and the Museum Studio round out this delightful tour.

(next week: The Art Institute of Chicago)