Preserving Fostoria's glass history

FOSTORIA — Glass made in Fostoria more than a century ago has traveled all over, changing hands among collectors and dealers. At the Glass Heritage Gallery, more than 1,100 pieces of it have found their way home. From 1887 to 1920, 13 glass companies came to Fostoria. Investors were drawn by the natural gas that had been discovered in the area and by the city's five major railroads. The companies are gone today, but their glass remains. The gallery, a nonprofit museum in downtown Fostoria, focuses on 10 of the companies that made glass and lamps in the city. It traces its roots to Mel Murray's 1992 book "Fostoria Ohio Glass II," which got community leaders thinking glass could be a tourist attraction. That led to the formation of the Ohio Glass Association and the opening of the museum. In 34 years, the museum has welcomed more than 30,000 visitors from across the U.S. When the Big Boy train came through Fostoria in July, it brought an estimated 200 visitors to the museum. The Ohio Glass Association's board of directors runs the museum, and board members also serve as docents, said Bill King, president of the board. The positions are unpaid because the museum doesn't generate enough sales to pay staff. About 80% of the museum's pieces come from private collectors, King said. When funds allow, the museum buys pieces, and this year it found three items it didn't have on display. "It's exciting that after 34 years we can still find things that were made here," King said. King also travels to trade shows, where he sets up tables to display glass and promote both the museum and Fostoria. The shows are a chance to sell, advertise and connect with other dealers, and they have helped the museum track down certain pieces. Other pieces arrive as memorial donations. Families sometimes reach out to donate a late loved one's glass collection, preserving that person's memory as a collector. Identifying the glass takes some detective work. King said Murray's book is a key resource, and the museum also has catalogs with product listings from some of the city's glass companies. Shards of glass from Fostoria glass sites help, too. Some pieces arrive incomplete, so the museum tries to track down the missing parts. Its Arabian candelabra had everything except its pink tops, which the museum eventually added. The pink is rare, King said, because Fostoria Glass Co. made little colored glass while it was in the city. The company's Foster Block pattern was named after Charles Foster. King said other companies supposedly copied its Virginia pattern, so Fostoria Glass Co. came out with Captain Kidd — allegedly named after the pirate because the company's pattern had been "pirated." Fostoria Shade and Lamp Co., which later became Consolidated Lamp and Glass Co., made unique, brightly colored lamps. When it was operating, the company shipped two boxcar loads of lamps every day, King said. It made many "Gone With the Wind"-style lamps, called vase lamps, along with glass shakers for salt, sugar and toothpicks. One of its Santa Claus-style lamps sold at auction for $2,900. Mosaic Glass Co. made window glass, glass tiles and specialty items such as toothpick holders. Its swan pieces did double duty, holding toothpicks, cologne or salt. King said the company's glass tiles are highly sought after. Another company, Fostoria Incandescent Lamp Co., made light bulbs. Admission to the museum is free, but memberships help fund it. The museum offers single, couple, corporate and lifetime memberships. New members receive Murray's book, and all members get the museum's newsletter. Members can also sell their own glass in the museum's gift shop on consignment, with the museum receiving a 20% commission. When the museum receives donated glass that wasn't made in Fostoria, it sells those pieces on eBay or at auctions. The museum's space is too small for auctions, but the community has helped. The Fostoria Learning Center, for example, lets the museum use its classrooms. The museum bought its building with grant money, and supporters and donors help with upkeep, which King said can be a challenge. Space is a challenge, too. The layout of the 24 display cases makes it hard to organize and catalog the collection, and there is little room for board meetings. King said the museum would love to move to a bigger building, ideally still downtown, with high ceilings to display its hanging lamps. The goal, King said, is to preserve the museum and its glass in perpetuity. "We want it here for the next generation as long as the town is here," he said. But board members and volunteers are aging, which makes it harder to staff the museum with docents and attend trade shows. King said it would be a big help if younger people got involved. Visiting the museum gives people awareness of, and pride in, what was made in Fostoria, King said. Both the museum and the city are rich in history, he said, and Fostoria has a lot going for it, from local businesses to events. "I think just learning about Fostoria's past can help us hopefully save the future," King said. The Glass Heritage Gallery is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday from April through December. In March, it is open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The museum is closed in January and February. To schedule a visit or make a reservation, call 419-435-5077.