The first glass factory in Millville, New Jersey, was founded by James Lee in 1806. To celebrate this 200th anniversary, the Museum of American Glass at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center presents, “The Fires Burn On: 200 Years of Glassmaking in Millville, New Jersey.”
 
The title of the exhibit comes from the essay, “Millville,” written in 1904 by Carl Sandburg in his first published work. The essay begins, “Down in Southern New Jersey they make glass. By day and by night the fires burn on in Millville and bid the sand let in the light.” Today this quote still rings true.

The exhibit is divided into three sections beginning with the history of the glass companies that operated in Millville. There were over 30 bottle, window, scientific, and novelty glass manufacturers in business in this small New Jersey town. Examples of glass from the majority of these firms will be included in the show. In 1882, the innovative Millville Workingman’s Institute was built as a place where glass workers could meet, read books in the lending library, and exercise in the gymnasium. The Institute also had facilities for immigrant glass workers to learn English. During World War II, the glass factories in Millville supplied medical glass for the war effort. Leon Henderson, a Millville native, was President Roosevelt’s Office of Price Administration chief and saw that the local glass factories operated during the war. During the 20th century, many of the Millville factories closed due to hard economic times and foreign competition. Today, three major glass companies continue to make glass.

The second section of the exhibit will show the glass that the Millville workers made on their own time. Many examples of whimseys and blown glass will be on display. Also, the most comprehensive exhibit of over 100 Millville paperweights can be viewed. The first truly American style of paperweight was developed by the workers at the Whitall Tatum Company. The best examples of Frits, Umbrellas, Devil’s Fires, Lampworked Names, and the famous Millville Rose paperweights will be exhibited.

The third section of the exhibit is dedicated to the impact that WheatonArts has had on the story of Millville glassmaking. Founded by Frank H. Wheaton, Jr. in 1969, and opened to the public in 1970, WheatonArts has become a center for glassmaking and glass history. The Museum of American Glass exhibits one of the finest collections of glass in the country and organizes annual special exhibits. The replica T.C. Wheaton Glass Factory, now called the Glass Studio, began as a demonstration glass facility.

In 1983, the Creative Glass Center of America was established as a glass fellowship program which brings artists from all over the world to WheatonArts. Today, Millville is recognized as an international glass center, impacting glass artists worldwide.