Oglebay Institute Glass Museum
Oglebay Institute Glass Museum
4.4
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The museum displays glass items and has a demonstration area for glass blowers, cutters, and decorators.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.4
175 reviews
Excellent
108
Very good
45
Average
16
Poor
2
Terrible
4
Meg
8 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Nice museum. Ive always like to come here to see the museum and see the person making different pieces on occasion. I like seeing the different glass pieces that’s offered. I wish there more variety as well to the area. Like fostoria, Fenton, and other local glass companies and independent makers
Written May 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rosie0302
Pennsylvania73 contributions
Oct 2020
I had no idea that so many glass manufacturers had been in the Wheeling area. This was a very interesting display of glass objects from five different companies. We visited on an October Tuesday and were the only visitors in the museum at that time. I gave it a four instead of a five rating only because there was not a glass blowing demonstration the day we were there. It would have been wonderful to see a craftsman at work but I understand why they might not have a craftsman available for every day. There is also an attractive display of glass related objects for sale in the attached store.
Written October 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CynthiafromOhio2011
Cleveland, OH337 contributions
Dec 2011
This is part of Oglebay Park, but requires a separate admission (similar to the Mansion). It is located underneath the glass gift shop and to enter you must walk through the gift shop to the back stairs / elevator. It is not costly, e.g., it is inlcuded as part of the $10 admission to the Mansion.
The glass museum is not large, but it is very impressive. The majority of the museum is geared to adults, but children will enjoy the glass blowing demonstration. The museum is beautiful and breath-taking, but needs more labeling and explanation of what you are seeing.
There is one short video that explains a large glass "punch bowl" -- this is supposedly the largest piece of cut lead crystal ever made, "The Sweeney Punch Bowl. Five feet tall and weighing 225 pounds, this crystal treasure is world famous - a remarkable masterpiece of Victorian glassl" There were actually three of them made, but the other two have disappered from existence.. Although they were called punch bowls, they were never used to hold liquids, but could have held upto 16 gallons!
The Glass Museum focuses on glass made in the Wheeling area, from 1820's to about 1940 -- over a decade. During that time, Wheeling was the leading producer of glass in the world. Unfortunately, today there are no glassmakers left in Wheeling, but there is one company that still makes the molds for glassmaking here. The museum tells the story of the mold maker.
The displays of glass are breathtaking; I particularly enjoyed seeing all the Northwood carvival glass. Incredibly beautiful this is a museum that we delight you visually.
The gift shop is pricey, but also features a lot of beautiful glass works. I purchased a small, beautiful red glass shoe / slipper made in WV for $13.95. There were many other beautiful glass items that I feel in love with.
The glass museum is not large, but it is very impressive. The majority of the museum is geared to adults, but children will enjoy the glass blowing demonstration. The museum is beautiful and breath-taking, but needs more labeling and explanation of what you are seeing.
There is one short video that explains a large glass "punch bowl" -- this is supposedly the largest piece of cut lead crystal ever made, "The Sweeney Punch Bowl. Five feet tall and weighing 225 pounds, this crystal treasure is world famous - a remarkable masterpiece of Victorian glassl" There were actually three of them made, but the other two have disappered from existence.. Although they were called punch bowls, they were never used to hold liquids, but could have held upto 16 gallons!
The Glass Museum focuses on glass made in the Wheeling area, from 1820's to about 1940 -- over a decade. During that time, Wheeling was the leading producer of glass in the world. Unfortunately, today there are no glassmakers left in Wheeling, but there is one company that still makes the molds for glassmaking here. The museum tells the story of the mold maker.
The displays of glass are breathtaking; I particularly enjoyed seeing all the Northwood carvival glass. Incredibly beautiful this is a museum that we delight you visually.
The gift shop is pricey, but also features a lot of beautiful glass works. I purchased a small, beautiful red glass shoe / slipper made in WV for $13.95. There were many other beautiful glass items that I feel in love with.
Written December 20, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara K
Warren, OH30 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
My family and I visited Olgebay resort, in December, for a Christmas getaway. There were 7 of us in our group, all adults. We purchased the tickets to the glass museum, for the main reason of watching the glass blowing. We all enjoy watching them make glass. Our experience was far less than pleasant. In an attempt to make conversation with the glass blower, I asked what he was making. It was not apparent as he had just pulled the hot glass out of the furnace. It could not have escalated down hill any faster. He began making very sarcastic comments regarding running out of plastic to make toys and then proceeded to make other rude comments regarding making bulbs. It made me feel very uncomfortable and very disappointed. His attitude was very unacceptable! He then asked my father, who is 82 and somewhat physically handicapped, “why are you so angry”. I was in shock and left speechless. I wrote a comment and submitted it at the gift shop,regarding our experience, and I’ve heard no response. I would NOT spend money to go into this museum and DEFINITELY would not recommend seeing the glass blowing
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobbieJean2010
Boise, ID118 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Upon entering the museum the entire top floor is completely closed and empty. Like totally vacant! Empty cabinets empty displays literally nothing there except a sign that says museum downstairs. Also the glassblowing guy, was apparently off the day we visited so there was no actual glassmaking taking place. When we went downstairs to the museum it was extremely small and simple. I was disappointed to say the least.
Written June 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vacamom3
Latrobe, PA125 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
The main reason we visited the glass museum was to see the glass blower and to do one of the workshops. The glass blower, Bob, could not have been more rude and unwelcoming. When he saw our vouchers for the workshop, he rolled his eyes and said the workshops cause him to lose money. My mother-in-law and I ended up having our husbands do our projects for us because Bob made us feel so uncomfortable. I’d definitely recommend visiting the glass blowing area and talking to him before you spend the money on the workshop.
Written December 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andyhg
Pittsburgh, PA478 contributions
If your tastes are modern or traditional, you will find lovely glass works to admire.
Written December 29, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GPM-Ohio
Columbus, OH50 contributions
I don't have any particular interest in glassware but foundmy visit to this museum worthwhile. It isn't just about looking at glassware but includes interesting information about Wheeling history. It would be boring for children under 12 although they would love the glass blowing demonstration. This is an inexpensive museum and I thought it was well worth the time and money I invested. It was a little difficult to figure out how to enter the museum - its entry is at the back of the glass shop that occupies the first floor. When you enter the shop, walk to the back right corner of the shop and you'll find the entrance to the museum which is down one floor.
Written December 5, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nolamap
New Orleans, LA154 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
When we first got to the museum I walked in, figuring I'd be able to see it in a few minutes. The glass there was nice, but I thought it looked more like a shop than a museum. DUH! It was. The museum is downstairs!! I get to the museum and WOW!!!! I was blown away. I have never seen so many kinds of glass and all of it was beautiful. And walking through it was walking through the history of American glassware. AMAZING!
Written July 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Remark72
Sagamore Hills, Ohio69 contributions
Jan 2012
We vacationed at Oglebay for many years before I visited the Glass Museum. I was sorry I had not done so sooner. This exhibit offers a glimpse of a time now faded, an era when glassblowers from the area crafted their works. There is a great amount of information here, probably more suitable for the mature audience.
Written January 13, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I believe we paid $15/person because we did both the glass tour and mansion otherwise, I believe it’s $10 to do just the one
Written January 18, 2020
Hi. My mom would probably need to use a wheel chair since she cannot walk long distances. Would she be able to view the Glass museum?
Written July 8, 2018
Yes, I believe I saw an elevator, suggest you call to confirm.
Written July 9, 2018
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