Christine Smyczynski ____Writer
  • Home
    • Upcoming events
    • Contact information
  • Books
    • Western NY Explorer's Guide >
      • WNY Resources
      • WNY Attractions
      • Media Interviews
      • Testimonials
      • First edition closed
      • Second edition closed
    • Backroads & Byways Upstate NY
    • Buffalo Niagara Explorer's Guide
  • Articles 2006-07
    • 2006 Articles January-June >
      • Celebrating Black History Month
      • Naples NY
      • Olean
      • ICE Festival
      • Mid winter getaways
      • Art & History Museums
      • Aviation Museums
      • Hiking Trails
      • Welland Canal
      • Athenaeum Hotel
    • 2006 Articles July-December >
      • Bemus Point
      • Cobblestone Trail
      • Niagara Parkway Part 1
      • Niagara Parkway Part 2
      • Rock Park
      • Clifton Springs
      • WNY Amish
    • 2007 Articles January-June >
      • Nature In Winter
      • Wine & Chocolate
      • Winter Wonderland
      • Outdoors in Winter
      • Inside in Winter
      • Old Fort Niagara
      • Power Vists
      • WNY Waterfalls
      • Corning
      • Dads and Cars
      • Artpark
    • 2007 Articles July-December >
      • Hershey, PA
      • Native American History
      • Lake Ontario Shore
      • Lockport Cave
      • Sonnenberg
      • Amish Traditions
      • Day trips rock
      • Country Barn Quilt Trail
      • Halloween in WNY
      • Festival of Lights
      • Chautauqua Holiday
      • NY City by Train
  • Articles 2008-09
    • Articles January-May 2008 >
      • Chautauqua Wine Trail
      • Mayville Ice Castle
      • Outdoor Winter Fun
      • Chautauqua Institution
      • Farmers Markets
      • Recharge at Chautauqua
      • Niagara Wine Trail
    • Articles July-Nov. 2008 >
      • Local Boat Rides
      • Local Beaches
      • Chautauqua County
      • Lewiston Jazz Festival
      • Hammondsport
      • Buffalo Waterfront
      • Pumpkin Fun
      • Chautauqua Wine Trail LEL
      • Fall Road Trips
    • Articles January-June 2009 >
      • Off season getaways
      • Free Attractions
      • Winter Fun
      • Spring Break
      • Taughannock Falls
      • Winery Train
      • St. Lawrence Seaway
      • Seaway Trail Journey
    • Articles July-Nov. 2009 >
      • Welland Canal LEL
      • Queenston
      • Sandusky
      • Cleveland
      • Fall Festivals
      • Scenic Fall Drives
      • Holiday Hollow
      • Shopping in New York City
      • Holiday Shopping Corning
      • Buffalo has Wright
  • Articles 2010-11
    • Articles January-June 2010 >
      • Snowshoeing
      • Toronto
      • Elmira
      • Buffalo Religious Arts
      • Ten must see getaways
      • Chautauqua and Erie
      • Welland Murals
    • Articles July-December 2010 >
      • The Tonawandas
      • Ten Hidden Places
      • Wing Festival
      • Presque Isle
      • Marblehead Lighthouse
      • Lewisburg, PA
      • Victorian Christmas
    • Articles January-April 2011 >
      • Chocolate Trail
      • Fun With Grandkids
      • George Eastman House
      • National Historic Landmarks
      • Thing for Wings
      • Olcott Beach
      • Little League Museum
      • Rock City
    • Articles May-June 2011 >
      • Glassblowing
      • Lawn Fetes
      • Chautauqua Bicentennial
      • Shaw Festival
      • Chautauqua County 2
    • Articles July-August 2011 >
      • Olcott Carousel
      • 10 Hidden Gems
      • Chautauqua
      • Olcott Beach 2
      • Roycroft
      • Hot Dog Spots
      • Westfield
      • Canandaigua
      • Enjoy Presque Isle
      • His and Her trips
    • Fall 2011 >
      • Belhurst Castle
      • Shop in Lewiston
      • Cuba Cheese Museum
      • Pumpkinville 2
      • Snowshoe 2
      • Spooky Treats
      • Walkable Shopping
      • Norman Rockwell Museum
      • Fatima Shrine Fest of Lights
      • Christmas Lights
      • Albright Knox Art Gallery
  • Articles 2012
    • January-May 2012 >
      • Darwin Martin House
      • Maple Weekend
      • Divine Mercy Shrine
      • Ports of Call on Erie Canal
    • June-December 2012 >
      • Gateway to Rochester
      • Cape Cod
      • Cobblestone Trail Landmarks
      • 8 Great Fall Road Trips
      • Little Known Places In WNY
      • Buy at local craft shows
  • Articles 2013
    • January-July 2013 >
      • Made in America Store
      • Vidler's 5 & 10
      • Great Lakes Seaway Trail
      • Gardens in region
      • WNY Festivals then and now
      • Erie PA waterfront
    • Articles July-December 2013 >
      • Grape Discovery Center
      • Salt Sanctuary
      • Holiday Hollow
      • Hull House
      • Buffalo Religious Arts (FY)
      • Mall Madness
      • One Day Holiday Getaways
  • Articles 2014-15
    • January-May 2014 >
      • NYC by train (FY)
      • Cabin fever
      • NOTL Getaway
      • Elmira
      • Carousels (WNYF)
    • June-September 2014 >
      • Summer Sands
      • Cruising along the canal
      • Canandaigua getaway
      • Canalside Villages
      • North Tonawanda
      • Williamsville
    • October 2014 >
      • Olean & Ellicotville
      • Ridgeway Ontario
      • Leroy Quilt Trail
      • Maple Weekend (Longweekends)
      • Salt Sanctuary (Longweekends)
    • November-Dec 2014 >
      • Grove City Shopping
      • Lewiston Day Trip
      • Indoor waterparks
​Democrat and Chronicle
May 15, 2011
 
Corning Museum of Glass: 60 Years and Going Strong
        The Corning Museum of Glass is a senior citizen, but you’d never know it, as it has really kept up with the times; and yes there have been a few face lifts over the years. The museum, a state-of-the-art facility and one of New YorkState’s most popular attractions, is celebrating 60 years this May.

A brief history
            Originally conceived as an educational institution in 1950 by the Corning Glassworks, now Corning Incorporated, the museum opened its doors in May 1951 with about 2,000 glass objects in its collection, along with a research library.
            Over the years the glass collection and library continued to expand. Today the museum has over 45,000 objects representing 3,500 years of glass craftsmanship. It is the largest collection of glass in the world!  Over 360,000 people visit the museum annually.
            The museum building itself has also seen changes and expansion over the past six decades. A devastating flood in 1972 resulted in five feet of water in the museum. The items in the collection had to be painstakingly cleaned and restored; conservationists from all over the country helped with the effort.
            By 1978, the museum had outgrown its space and an addition was added. This time, to be on the safe side, the part of the museum housing the collections was built above flood level. Still another renovation took place between 1996 and 2001, turning the museum into the state-of-the-art facility it is today.
 

Visit the museum
            The last time my family visited the museum of glass, my kids were fascinated by all the hands-on activities. The highlight of our visit was the Hot Glass Show, which features live demonstrations of glassblowing.
            We were fortunate enough to be able to participate in the museum’s Walk-in Workshops, where visitor’s can try their hand at glassmaking. You must make reservations early in the day to secure a spot. Some of the workshops are for all ages, while some are geared towards teens and adults. You can create objects such as decorative picture frames, window hangings, and glass flowers. If you don’t have the time or ambition to create you own, don’t fret, as the museum’s 18,000 square foot Glassmarket, one of the largest museum shops in the country, has plenty of glass items for purchase.
 

60th Anniversary events
            There are several upcoming events pertaining to Corning Museum of Glass 60th anniversary. Take the “60 Favorites” tour. This self-guided tour highlights sixty favorite items from the museum’s collection that help you to learn about the museum’s history and glassmaking.
            On May 19th, from 9am to 8pm you can take part in the museum’s official birthday celebration. The day will kick off with a parade of 1951 Chevrolets to the museum’s front door. Cupcakes will be served and special activities will take place all day long. Admission is free. Everyone who has visited the museum during the past 60 years is urged to share their special memories of the museum through photos, videos, or written description.


 
Glassfest
            Another event taking place in Corning this May is Glassfest, from May 26th to May 29th. This event, which is in its 2nd year, is a four-day celebration of glass and fine arts sponsored by Corning’s Gaffer District. Planned activities include live music, glassmaking demonstrations, a glass “flame off” ( glass artists will compete to see who creates the best glass pieces), a 8K race on Saturday morning, fine art vendors on Saturday and Sunday,  the Light up the Night, neon and glass display Friday and Saturday night, and historic walking tours all weekend. For more information, see www.glassfest.org 
 

If you go
Corning Museum of Glass, One Museum Way, Corning, 800-732-6845, 607-937-5371 www.cmog.org

 
Directions
Take the I-390 south until you reach the I-86. Take I-86 east to Corning; follow the signs to the Corning Museum of Glass

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.