American made Depression Glass is glassware generally made in the period 1929–1939. It can be found in clear or colored translucent colors. Depression glass is so called because collectors generally associate this mass-produced glassware with the Great Depression in America.

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October 15, 2024: Museum Fall Activities

October is for Halloween decorating. This is the time of year when you should get out your black glass, milk glass, and yes, even those tall orange vases and candlesticks. You can have a colorful display of glassware.

Don't forget decorating for Thanksgiving. In December we'll host our annual volunteers recognition event.

The fall weather should be nice for traveling. Make a visit and check out the latest displays and offerings in the gift shop at the museum.

 

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July 29, 2024: Wow - What a Great Annual Convention and Show!

Our 2024 Convention was held July 13-14 in Tiffin Ohio, hosted by the Tiffin Glass Collectors Club. Thanks to show co-chairs and all the volunteers for making everything work smoothly.

There was a full glass show & sale with nationally known dealers, educational seminars, Saturday night banquet with auction, and hourly door prize drawings.

Thanks to the various glass clubs for staffing their information tables and members for their displays. We have photos posted on our convention summary page.

 

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August 10, 2021: What's your story?

Many of us got our start collecting Depression Glass with items received from older family members. Sometimes those received items came with family history; how the family got them, where they got them, and what the items meant during the dark years following the Crash of 1929.

I want to hear those stories and use them to develop an NDGA celebration of the 100th anniversary of Depression Glass. Write me a letter; send me an email; or let me know a suitable time and I’ll call you. We can even do a face-to-face ZOOM meeting if you prefer.

I’m ready to listen.

Scott Pierce
Treasurer-atsign-ndga.net

 

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March 10, 2021: Welcome to our Gift Shop.

There is always an exciting new look to the NDGA National Glass Museum Gift Shop with its constantly changing array of items for adding to your collection or for that special gift you’ve been searching for.

The gift shop is stocked with items that are specifically donated for sale in the gift shop, or donated items that duplicate pieces already in the museum collection. Between these two sources, we have an ever changing supply of new merchandise for you to select from.

In the cases and shelves of the gift shop you’ll find great pieces of Early American Pattern Glass, Elegant glass by some of the best American glass manufactures, kitchen glass, Mid Century glass from the 50’s, 60’s 70’s…..oh, and of course some great Adam to Windsor Depression Glass.

 

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September 10, 2018: More Online Resources Available

ANNOUNCING!!!! Videos of seminars from convention are now available.

Dean Lowry has completed posting of videos from recent conventions, including this year. So, if you were unable to attend a recent convention, you can now view the seminars that were given. Our thanks to the presenters for allowing the recordings to be made, which helps us share information with everyone.

We have a YouTube channel available here. Take the time to view them, and give us your feedback.

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Also, NDGA has a presence on eBay, the world's online marketplace; a place for buyers and sellers to come together and buy or sell almost anything. Make sure you save this link to our eBay store so you can easily check out what we have available.

https://www.ebay.com/usr/ndgaclub

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November 1, 2016: Latest Addition to Museum

Some of you have been to the Museum but not recently, others have yet to visit! Please consider coming by to see our latest acquisitions.

It is with great pleasure and excitement that we will soon have displayed, a wonderful part of the glass industry. We were given a glass mold with plunger for a Fostoria Colony #2412 1/2 two part relish dish. This is wonderful alone, but we also got a punty stick and rest, a blow pipe, and three tools to work glass. This will go along with a goblet mold the museum already has displayed. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had that two part relish to show how it fit into the mold? I'm on a quest to find that Colony two part relish to display along side the actual mold so that people can see show it works. A picture is worth a thousand words. If you have the piece, and would be willing to donate it to go along with the mold, please contact Pam Meyer.

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February 15, 2015: News & Views column

We're instituting a new column that we hope will both educate our readers and help out our collectors. Most (we believe this should be all, but there may be an exception) of us have collections that are missing a "part". It may be a creamer withour a sugar, a bottom without a lid, a saucer without a cup ... you get the idea by now.

Check the latest issue of the News & Views for the current requests. You'll also find directions on how to submit your input. With your help, these lonely pieces will find their lost mate.

 

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November 1, 2013: We're on TV!

We've all seen the ads to support Public Broadcasting. Now, here's a really good reason.

During the July 2013 Convention, television station KTWU located in Topeka Kansas, spent some time videotaping at the Convention and Museum. The result was broadcast as the October 10, 2013 program of Sunflower Journeys. It is a 27 minute program with two other stories. Our story begins 10 minutes into the program and lasts for 8 minutes. Make sure you are using supported software to view the program.

Many thanks to Pam Meyer and others for making this happen. Let us know what you thought of the program.

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October 1, 2013: One year later

We did it.

It was only a year ago a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the Grand Opening of the NDGA National Glass Museum located at 117 S Washington Ave. in Wellington KS.

This past year has seen the Museum grow from an empty building to one that houses a collection of glass from the 1800's to the 1970's, representing a large number of the companies that were in existence during those times. It also has a working reference library for the public to use in their research of glassware. The museum is staffed by volunteers, who are always willing to help answer questions.

The museum will help in serving the two main goals of the organization, education and preservation of all American made glassware with an emphasis on the Depression Era.

NDGA is a 501(c)(3) organization with the museum opened to the public at no charge. The museum is supported by donations and proceeds from the gift shop where you may purchase glass items, along with t-shirts, tote bags and post cards. A donation jar is also available to anyone wishing to help support the museum.

The Museum is opened Thursday, Friday and Saturday between the hours of 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., with additional hours available by appointment. Please call 620-326-6400 or 316-524-1553 for those arrangements.

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During the 2013 NDGA Convention, Leegh Wyse (NDGA Historian) worked with groups of students to help them appreciate the history of glass. She developed materials and gave several "Children's tour" of the museum during convention.

The children then went on to making rock candy, which just like glass, needs the correct ingredients fired at the correct temperature to create a product. Yuum!

September 1, 2013: Involving the next generation....

One of the highlights of 2013 NDGA Convention was the participation by guest author Barbara Mauzy. She presented a session titled "Passing on the Passion" on Saturday and repeated on Sunday. Barbara also wrote a book "Child of the Great Depression" (ISBN #0985967870).

Are you a depression glass collector? Have you had trouble getting your children or grandchildren to appreciate depression glass and its significance in American history. Well here is the perfect resource for the young reader. Written and illustrated by well known glass author Barbara Mauzy, this book will help young new collectors to appreciate the significance of depression glass; what was the Great Depression, why did it happen, how does the glassware relate to the times, etc... That and much more is included in this great new book designed specifically for the young collector. Your purchase of this book helps to support The National Depression Glass Association and The National Glass Museum.

Remember, the holidays are coming. Contact Pam Meyer to order your copy, and perhaps a second one as a gift.