Society to celebrate area’s rich glass heritage
Courtesy of National Duncan Glass Society
An aerial view of Duncan & Miller Glass Co. on Jefferson Avenue in Washington
Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Martin visited the Duncan & Miller Glass plant in the mid-1940s.
Carl Comer and John Malone press glass at Duncan & Miller Glass Co.
Sculpted Glass Iris Vase produced by Duncan & Miller Glass Co.
Society to celebrate area’s rich glass heritage
Three Face piece produced by Duncan & Miller Glass Co.
Courtesy of the National Duncan Glass Society
Sculpted Glass Crysanthemum
Felix Bullock opens up a bowl to drop onto a crimper at the Duncan & Miller Glass plant.
The National Duncan Glass Society will celebrate the 42nd anniversary of its founding in July 1975, beginning July 21 with its annual meeting and dinner at the DoubleTree Hotel in Meadow Lands.
The annual Antique and Glass Show and sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 22 and 23 at Washington County Fairgrounds, 2151 N. Main St., Washington.
Western Pennsylvania and the Ohio River Valley down to Bellaire, Ohio, was once the largest producer of glass in America.
Glass manufacturing in the area had its beginnings in 1797 when a glass plant was established near the Point in Pittsburgh. Raw materials and fuel in the form of wood and coal were plentiful. Of greater importance was the network of rivers that opened up vast markets in the expanding west.
All kinds of glass were produced, from humble flasks, jars, window glass and commercial barware to elegant tableware. So excellent was the quality of glass produced in the Pittsburgh region, both President James Monroe and President Andrew Jackson bought complete services for use in the White House.
As the 19th century progressed, competition increased and companies looked for ways to cut production costs. New forms of production, such as mold-blown and pressed glass, were introduced to help reduce costs. Glass production is an energy-intensive industry, and the availability of cheap energy was critical to a company’s profit. The discovery of natural gas in Washington County was a major factor in attracting glass companies to Washington.
Charles Brady was the first to locate a glass factory within the limits of the city of Washington in 1886. He was an extremely capable businessman, and ultimately operated two Hazel Atlas Glass plants in Washington.
In 1893, the heirs of George Duncan, having lost their factory in Pittsburgh the previous year due to a fire, moved to Washington and opened a new plant. The availability of natural gas and a robust railroad network were key factors in their decision.
The Duncan family was successful, and in 1900, reincorporated under the name of Duncan & Miller. John Ernest Miller, who had been the head of the mold shop in the factory, was brought in as a partner. The quality of glass produced by the Duncan & Miller Co. was superb, earning the title “The loveliest glass in America.”
Among the iconic patterns produced were Mardi Gras, Early American Sandwich, Teardrop, Canterbury and Terrace. And perhaps the most recognized item was the swan, which became the unofficial emblem of the company.
The Duncan & Miller Co. produced handmade glass. Each item produced required as many as nine workers to make and finish.
This labor-intensive process was ultimately the downfall of the company, because as Europe rebuilt after World War II, the market in the United States was flooded with inexpensive imports. The factory closed in 1955, and a year later, the plant burned to the ground. The site is now occupied by the Alpine Bowling Lanes.
In addition to Hazel Atlas and Duncan & Miller, nearly 20 other companies opened glass factories in Washington. These include Perfection, Washington Co., Brockway, Novelty Glass Works and Phoenix Glass Co. The glass factories in Washington produced a wide range of products, from fine tableware made by Duncan to utilitarian canning jars and bottles of all descriptions. The production was huge, and items were shipped all over the world, with Australia and South America the destinations of much of the local glass.
During the heyday of glass production in Washington, most families had a relative who worked in the glass industry. The glass factories were a major employer in the area.
The history of most of these companies is not well-known today. Other than the Hazel Atlas plant that still stands at South Main Street and Park Avenue, nothing remains of these factories. This part of the area’s historical heritage is slipping away with each passing year. Few, if any, of the workers are still alive to tell their story.
The National Duncan Glass Society is dedicated to the preservation of the history of the Duncan & Miller Glass Co. and the examples of the glass made by the company during its 90 years of operation. The National Duncan Glass Society maintains a museum and gift shop at 525 Jefferson Avenue in Washington, close to the original plant site. The museum houses an extensive collection of memorabilia and glass produced by the Duncan family. The gift shop offers genuine Duncan glass for sale, along with reprints of early Duncan catalogs.
As part of the society’s ongoing education program, its hosts an annual show and sale, with examples of glass from many companies and periods available for sale. In addition, there are informational displays of different glass.
This year, in addition to a display of Duncan glass with a frosted decoration, there will be a display by the Stretch Glass Society, the Wheeling Area Glass Club and the Museum of American Glass from Weston, W.Va.
Admission is $7, and is good for both days. The show is held in two air-conditioned buildings with ample free parking. Show information is available by calling 724-678-6627.
The Duncan and Museum and store will be open during the celebration, with a special exhibit featuring the theme of the convention.
For more information, visit www.duncanmiller.net, call 724-225-9950 or email dmmuseum@verizon.net.
Company Opened Closed
Hazel Glass 1886 1902
Washington Glass Works 1887 1888
Old Washington Glass Co. 1888 1895
George Duncan & Sons 1892 1900
J. H. Blair & Co. 1893 1894
Novelty Glass Works 1894 1902
Washington Glass Manufacturing 1895 1902
Atlas Glass Co. 1896 1902
Beatty, Brady & Co. 1896 1901
Duncan & Miller Glass Co. 1900 1955
Highland Glass Co. 1901 1931
Pittsburgh Window Glass 1901 1918
Hazel Atlas Glass Co. 1902 1956
Phoenix Glass Co. 1902 1913
Sterling Glass Works 1902 1903
Perfection Glass Co. 1903 1906
Pittsburgh Sheet Glass 1918 1925
Tygart Valley Glass Co. 1928 1959
Mississippi Glass Co. 1931 1950
Continental Can Co. 1956 1964
Brockway Glass Co. 1964 1984