The Degenhart Glass Museum, named after John and Elizabeth Degenhart, who founded the Crystal Art Glass Co. in 1947, has donated 500 pieces to The Ohio Glass Museum, including shoes and slippers, 48 Priscilla dolls, 135 pooches and a number of Whimsies.
The Ohio Glass Museum in Lancaster is one of three museums in the US to receive pieces from the Degenhart Glass Museum in Cambridge, which closed 1 March.
The Degenhart Glass Museum was named after John and Elizabeth Degenhart, who founded the Crystal Art Glass Co. in 1947. The couple manufactured glass paperweights and reproduction pressed wares and novelties.
Original and collectible pieces from the Degenhart Glass Museum will be available for public viewing starting 24 March.
“We were fortunate to be able to receive a piece of history from someone who loved producing glass,” said Pattie Frohnapfel, archives director for The Ohio Glass Museum.
Among the 500 Degenhart pieces given to the Ohio Glass Museum are collections of shoes and slippers, 48 Priscilla dolls, 135 pooches and a number of Whimsies.
The museum also has a collection of paperweights, three of which were made by John Degenhart, as well some pieces from Elizabeth Degenhart’s private collection.
Frohnapfel said she first made contact with someone from the Degenhart Glass Museum in April 2011.
Pieces from the Degenhart Glass Museum also went to The Museum of American Art Glass in Weston, W.Va., and The Strongsville (Ohio) Historical Society.
Frohnapfel said she’s glad the Ohio Glass Museum could help to keep that wish alive.
“We’re very happy to be able to continue to share that history,” she said.