Monday-  After leaving Huntington WV this morning, our first stop was at the town of Williamstown WV.  The first business we visited was Gabbert cullett-  Cullet is glass that has already been made from sand, soda ash and lime.  Companies that use or make glass can use cullet to make new glass or to color clear glass without having to add metals, chemicals etc. to make g eelass from scratch.  At Gabbert, glass is brought in from all over and sorted by color then resold by the pound.  The current owner, Frank Lowe's, customer base has dwindled  over the last 20 years.

Our next visit was to  Fenton Art Glass.    Frank and John Fenton were glassworkers for other glass producers who decided to start their own glass production factory.  Using an investment of $284.86 they began production in 1907. W They pioneered the technique of making iridescent  or carnival glass.  During the 1920's workers from Europe came to Fenton bringing knowledge and techniques not known in this country.  The 1930's brought the development of cranberry glass.  The 1940's saw the innovation of the hobnail design giving the glass a bumpy texture.  This glass became Fenton's bread and butter item.  In the 1970's they developed limited edition items, the 80's saw a partnership with QVC.   Fenton ceased production in 2011, now they only sell and make beads and sell inventory from their storage.
We ended the day at the Oglebay Glass Museum in Wheeling WV.  The museum has a resident glass blower who makes items for the museum gift shop.  Four of our participants got to work with the artisan to make glass items.  The museum displays items only made at glass factories in Wheeling.  Items are from Hobbs- Brockunier, Hobbs, Central, and Northwood glass factories.  Also displayed is china made at the Warwick China Company.

What factors do you think led to the development of the glass and ceramic industries in Wheeling WV?