Mary Childs, our executive director, has been busy on behalf of the Sandwich Glass Museum, putting a spotlight on our town, the museum and the importance of keeping its historical glass heritage alive. Recently, she had the opportunity to share the fascinating story of Sandwich glass on WCVB's Chronicle segment and co-curated and spoke at the Opening of Pathfinders: Paving the Glass Revolution in the U.S. chronicles the impact of Dale Chihuly's influence in the studio glass movement. at the New Bedford Museum.
You Can Read and Watch Mary's Coverage Below.
Thank you to WCVB Chronicle!
Mass. town nicknames rooted in the Industrial Revolution
From the production of buckets to glass, industrial operations left a mark on these Massachusetts towns
Sandwich is known as Glass Town, and Cape native Mary Childs knows a thing or two about the town's industrial history. Sandwich got its nickname by being the site of the first industrial-scale glass manufacturer in the U.S.
Today, the factories are gone, but glassmaking is an art for the ages. At Sandwich Glass Museum, where Childs is the director, handcrafted glass is made hourly for museumgoers to watch and learn in the town where it all started. Independent glass artists are scattered through the town, too, including McDermott Glass Studio.
Watch the Chronicle Segment now!
From the New Bedford Light
New Bedford Art Museum’s Chihuly glass exhibit signals a rebirth
"According to Mary Childs, executive director of the Sandwich Glass Museum, he is considered by many to be the leading contemporary influence in the studio glass movement of the 20th century."
PATHFINDERS: Paving the Glass Revolution in the U.S APRIL 11th - JULY 14th
Produced in partnership with the Sandwich Glass Museum, and in consultation with the New Bedford Museum of Glass, Pathfinders: Paving the Glass Revolution in the U.S. chronicles the impact of Dale Chihuly's influence in the studio glass movement. On display are extraordinary works by artists leading innovation in glass art over the last 50 years.
Have you heard the story behind “The Spite Barn” ?
1839 John Warner Barber drawing of Town Hall with historian Russell Lovell stating “This is the only view found showing the early Calvinistic chapel on the site of the present First Church of Christ. The smaller buildings in the left foreground are a blacksmith shop, the building (Spite Barn) that was to become part of the glass museum and lastly the Fred Bunker museum.
There is a story that Melatiah Bourne had a small barn near the Calvinistic chapel and made it a point to stir the animals when services were going on. This became known as “The Spite Barn” and part of town legend. This barn building was later moved across Main Street and then over the millstream and is incorporated into today’s Sandwich Glass Museum.
(The image and information comes from an excerpt on Sandwich Historical Commission May 6, 2016 article "A Name for the part at 135 Main Street")
What's Your Glass?
A Glass Identification Panel hosted by the Sandwich Historical Society
Saturday June 15th 2024 10am - 2pm
Join us in the Hirschmann Theater at the Sandwich Glass Museum for an exciting opportunity to learn more about your personal glass collection!
Attendees are invited to bring a piece of glass to be analyzed by a panel of Glass Scholars specializing in both historic and contemporary glass.
Admission to this event is $5 at the door. All attendees will be invited to enter their name into a free drawing to win a special glass prize.
We encourage all those planning to attend to complete the Pre-Registration form below as space for the event is limited.
A Special Thank you to...
Michael Magyar, The Glass Studio on Cape Cod, for speaking and all the Sandwich Glass Museum members that recently attended our Membership Meeting. Michael Magyar's "Into the Blue" featured exhibit is on display until June, 30, 2024. Make sure to visit soon!
Feel free to contact us with a comment or suggestion.