The New Bedford Museum of Glass

History

The New Bedford Museum of Glass was first incorporated as The Glass Art Center and affiliated with Bradford College in Bradford, MA. Following the closing of the college in 2000 we began our search for a new home. In 2005 New Bedford glass authority Louis. O. St. Aubin, Jr. suggested that the Center relocate to New Bedford, where an extensive glass industry flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We opened a small development office on North Water Street, changed our name to The New Bedford Museum of Glass and welcomed local residents and collectors from across the country to join our endeavor. The late Kenneth M. Wilson, former curator of The Corning Museum of Glass, served as Vice President. In 2009 the museum was invited to establish its galleries and gift shop in a factory building at 61 Wamsutta Street shared with the New Bedford Antiques Center. Our grand opening celebration took place in September of 2010.

Specialties

Welcome! The members of our non-profit organization are working to establish a new glass museum in the city of New Bedford. Please join us as we celebrate the beauty and history of glass in this charming seaport setting. The museum's growing collection includes art glass made in New Bedford by the famous Mt. Washington and Pairpoint factories, glass from the Midwest and other regions of the country, English and Continental glass, ancient glass, American historical glass, paperweights, studio glass and much more