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Lancaster city leaders began making plans in 2002 to establish a museum whose mission would be to record the history of the glass industry in Fairfield County and Lancaster. And a long history it has been. In 1890, Highland Manufacturing Co., manufactures of optical, cathedral, window, and ornamental glass, became the first of many glass companies to locate in this Central Ohio region that boasts an abundance of natural resources such as natural gas and sand. By 1915, Columbus Glass Co., Hocking Glass Co. (predecessor to Anchor Hocking), Lancaster Glass Co., and Ohio Flint Glass Co. were all located in Lancaster, with more companies to follow. Anchor Hocking’s headquarters and Plant #1 remain in Lancaster today. In 1945, Fran Taylor brought her Gay Fad Studios, a glass decorating company, to Lancaster, where it remained a multi-million-dollar business for the next 18 years.
 The Ohio Glass Museum was incorporated in 2002 and Margie Burket, fundraiser extraordinaire, headed up the capital campaign soon afterwards. Three buildings in downtown Lancaster – the Lancaster National Bank Building, Kresge Building, and Haraway’s Children Store – were purchased and construction began in 2004. The 5-phase construction project, with many volunteers doing much of the work, continued for two years and the OGM held its grand opening on May 20, 2006.
 Today the OGM features a lobby rotunda, information area, main gallery, history room, industrial room, glass blowing studio, and gift shop. The main gallery opens a new exhibit every four months with a festive Opening Gala. “Born of Fire,” a movie that teaches visitors about the history of glass production in Fairfield County, is shown continuously in the auditorium during museum hours, and Mike Stepanski, master glass blower, gives demonstrations and offers a variety of classes in his fully equipped glass blowing studio. The gift shop is well stocked with many kinds and types of glass items.
The Ohio Glass Museum is truly extraordinary and a must-see for area residents and anyone visiting central Ohio! It is staffed almost entirely by volunteers and you will never find a more dedicated, enthusiastic, gracious, and knowledgeable group of people. Located at 124 West Main Street in the heart of historic downtown Lancaster, OH, summer hours (March - October) are Tuesday - Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. and winter hours (November - February) are Tuesday - Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for students age 6-18.
An enormous thank you to Margie Burket, OGM’s Development Director, for allowing us access to her “scrapbook” so we could scan some of her photos to include on this page.
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