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Arts and Culture in Philadelphia and South Jersey

Ask this member a question. NJLaurita Work and live in the Glasstown Arts District in Millville, NJ
May 23, 2006
3.0 of 5 stars based on 4 votes
Start your trip in Philadelphia! Visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art to take in some world class art and exhibitions (currently featuring Andrew Wyeth: Memory & Magic). If you aren't into the Museum, try Longwood Gardens, just a short drive away for some kid friendly encounters with amazing horiticulture! After the musuem, grab a world-famous cheesesteak from Pat's - the original Philly Cheeseseak and walk around the Italian Market. Make sure you stop in the cheese shop and sample all kinds of imported cheeses. Then, check out phillyfunguide.com and get yourselves some half price tickets to see some local entertainment. This is the good stuff, guys! The following day, drive down to Millville. South Jersey will give you a brand new perspective on what New Jersey is really like. If you arrive in the Spring/Summer. Do some local driving around - you will definitely run into a few roadside produce stands. Pick up some Jersey tomatoes or peaches. After you've checked in to the Country Inn, walk over to WheatonArts. There is much to do and see here. You can take a tour of the Museum of American Glass, see glassblowing and pottery demonstrations, pick up some penny candy in the General Store, shop for glass artwork, grab lunch at the restaurant, feed ducks, play on a playground and then when you are too tired to walk, ride the little train back to the Country Inn! That night, take a drive up to Newfield. You won't be disappointed by Andrea's fine Italian Food. If you don't want to drive that far, take a trip down to High Street to Winfield's Fine Dining Restaurant. This is all-around good food. TIP: Most small restaurants don't serve alcohol in New Jersey and Philadelphia, but you are welcome to bring your own!, so pick up a bottle of good wine and the restaurant will cork it for you free of charge! (Winfields and other Fine Dining and Chain Restaurants are exceptions, so call ahead). If you are still looking for more to do after all this excitement, remember the beach is close by (only 30 minutes from Millville), so dive into some fun there too!
  • Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Philadelphia, Millville
  • Category: Perfect weekend
  • Traveler type: Culture, Sightseeing, Shopping, Never been before, Repeat visitors
  • Appeals to: Business travelers, Couples/romantics, Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Large groups, Seniors, Students, Budget travelers, Active/adventure, Tourists
  • Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
  • Tags: Arts, Glass, Art, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Museums, Interactive, Museum
1. Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center
http://www.wheatonvillage.org
The important American glass industry began in southern New Jersey because of the availability of natural resources such as wood, sand, soda ash and silica. The nation's earliest successful glass factory was founded in 1789 by Caspar Wistar in nearby Salem County in Millville. Many of the nation's foremost glass factories operate in South Jersey.

In 1888, Dr. Theodore Corson Wheaton, a pharmacist, began making his own pharmaceutical bottles in a glass factory in Millville. From these beginnings today's giant glass manufacturer, Wheaton USA, formerly Wheaton Industries, Inc., evolved.

Early in the 1960s Dr. Wheaton's grandson, Frank H. Wheaton, Jr., visited the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York. He discovered that much of the glass created and produced in southern New Jersey was displayed in this museum. He felt that these treasured museum pieces should be displayed in the areas in which they were produced...southern New Jersey.

Wheaton Village became his goal. He searched for and finally located a collection of American glass from the Bucks County Glass Museum in Pennsylvania. This became the foundation for what is now the finest collection of American glass at Wheaton Village.

The early collection was housed in the Wheaton family home on High Street in Millville. During this period, Mr. Wheaton assembled a group to build and design what he envisioned as a 'typical cross-roads glass community at the turn of the 20th century that included a glass museum.'

In 1970, the first buildings at Wheaton Village opened to the public. The present administration building housed the museum collection. There was also a gatehouse, a General Store, a museum store called the 'Brownstone Emporium,' and support facilities for carpentry and painting.

Soon construction began on the Museum of American Glass and the T. C. Wheaton Glass Factory. Until completion of the factory, glassblowing demonstrations were conducted in a glass furnace placed in a small structure adjacent to the entrance. The museum opened in 1973, followed shortly thereafter by the opening of the T. C. Wheaton Glass Factory, Dr. T. C. Wheaton Pharmacy, West Jersey Crafts, Arthur Gorham Paperweight Shop, Crafts and Trades Row and a barn. (The Pharmacy is now the 'Down Jersey Folklife Center' and West Jersey Crafts has become 'The Gallery of Fine Craft.'

To better utilize the facilities offered by the glass factory, a program to support emerging contemporary glass artists was created in 1983. Recognizing the needs of these artists to have access to hot glass, a group of artists including Paul Joseph Stankard and Tom Patti worked with Wheaton Village to establish the 'Creative Glass Center of America.' Through CGCA, contemporary glass artists are provided with the facilities, equipment, time and housing to further develop their art.

Today, Wheaton Village consists of over 60 acres with 20 buildings. The Museum of American Glass houses over 6,500 objects, both historic and contemporary. The fully operational glass factory presents daily, interpretive demonstrations for the public with artists showing traditional and contemporary glassblowing techniques. In the Craft Studios artists demonstrate the traditional southern New Jersey crafts of pottery, wood and flameworking. On the grounds we also house the Down Jersey Folklife Center, teaching workshops, organizing festivals, and exhibits. The 1863 C. P. Huntington Train, 1876 Centre Grove Schoolhouse, Arthur Gorham Paperweight Shop, Christmas Shop, and the Education and Event Center now complete the Village attractions. The 100-room Country Inn by Carlson®, PaperWaiter Restaurant and Pub, and Heritage House Banquet Facility are located adjacent to the Village.
2. Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3. Longwood Gardens
http://www.longwoodgardens.com/
The worldâs premier horticultural display garden!!! Longwood Gardens was created by industrialist Pierre S. du Pont (and is sometimes referred to as the DuPont Gardens) and offers 1,050 acres (425 hectares) of gardens, woodlands, and meadows; 20 outdoor gardens; 20 indoor gardens within 4 acres (1.6 hectares) of heated greenhouses; 11,000 different types of plants; spectacular fountains; extensive educational programs including horticultural career training and internships; and 800 horticultural and performing arts events each year, from flower shows, gardening demonstrations, courses, and childrenâs programs to concerts, organ and carillon recitals, musical theatre, and fireworks displays. Longwood is open every day of the year and attracts more than 900,000 visitors annually.
4. Pat's King of Steaks
Pat's King of Steaks, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
5. Andrea's Trattoria
This is my favorite little Italian restaurant in South Jesery. It is located on Hwy 40, about 20 minutes from Millville in Newfield. The food is exceptional. The people are fantastic and the atmosphere is lovely. You should call ahead for reservations and directions. 856-697-8400. Price range is $15-$30. Family friendly, but is also inimate and romantic.
6. Country Inn Millville
Country Inn Millville, Millville, New Jersey
Check Rates
Ave price: $126
7. Philly Fun Guide
http://www.phillyfunguide.com
Visit this website and get discount tickets on Great Phildelphia Entertainment! Visit the city like a local!
8. Italian Market
Italian Market, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Philadelphia, Millville