National Imperial Glass Museum

National Imperial Glass Museum The Museum is open April-October, 11a -3p, Thursday-Saturday, or by appointment by calling 740.671.3971

Dedicated to the memory of the Imperial Glass factory, its employees and the beautiful glassware they created, the Museum offers an excellent opportunity to learn about Imperial and view extensive displays of Imperial glassware.

Can you spot our new addition to this case? We are very lucky to have a donation from Mr. Jon Day! Look on the top shelf...
08/09/2026

Can you spot our new addition to this case? We are very lucky to have a donation from Mr. Jon Day! Look on the top shelf and find the, as far as we know, one of a kind black Shoji tumbler!

The National Toothpick Holder Collectors Society is holding their convention at the Pittsburgh Hilton in Moon Township P...
08/07/2026

The National Toothpick Holder Collectors Society is holding their convention at the Pittsburgh Hilton in Moon Township PA. The convention began yesterday and continues through Saturday. They have open house times for the public to see displays and shop this evening from 7-9 and Saturday from 2-4. On Saturday, there will be the members only auction. But wait! You can become a member and bid in the auction for only $5! Here’s the first toothpick/match holder made by Imperial when they opened in 1904, and I snagged this holder at the 2024 convention.

The excitement is building! Only 21 days until the National Milk Glass Collectors Society convention in St Clairsville,...
08/06/2026

The excitement is building! Only 21 days until the National Milk Glass Collectors Society convention in St Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio! If you can make it the last week of August, be sure to register by August 10th.
Today’s Imperial milk glass post is on the scarce to rare #1950/134 Hobby Horse cigarette box with the Pennsylvania Dutch - Peasant Art decoration. Myrna and Bob Garrison feature this on page 21 of their awesome book on Imperial Milk Glass. The Hobby Horse was only shown in the 1950 catalog. All of the hand painted versions are on glossy glass. Plain ones were also available In Imperial’s satin “Doeskin” finish. The Hobby Horse can be used for things other than as a cigarette box, such as trinkets, hair clips, and lots of stuff! At the auction of Lucile Kennedy’s collection, we were fortunate to have two available, otherwise there would have been an ugly bidding war between two friends!

NMGCS convention is only 22 days away! The attendees will have the opportunity to see these lovely factory decorated pi...
08/05/2026

NMGCS convention is only 22 days away! The attendees will have the opportunity to see these lovely factory decorated pieces on display at the National Imperial Glass Museum. These were donated by Rosalie, herself a former Imperial employee and currently the museum administrator. These were all made in the 1950s and were gifted to Rosalie by her father, an Imperial Glass Corporation employee. These photos are just a teaser for what you’ll see at the museum. Enjoy!

Only 23 more days until the National Milk Glass Collectors Society convention in St Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio! ...
08/04/2026

Only 23 more days until the National Milk Glass Collectors Society convention in St Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio! Imperial began making milk glass in the 1920s, but it was called “opal.” And Imperial did iridescent treatments on opal glass. The carnival glass world refers to these as marigold or smoke over milk or moonstone. Imperial considered these to be Rubigold or Saphire over Opal. They are not moonstone as they are opaque, not translucent. The stretch glass world claims smoke over milk. Imperial considered this Blue Ice over Opal. And when Imperial offered revival carnival glass in the mid 1960s, they also made Rubigold (marigold) over Milk Glass. Here are examples of Smooth Panel vases ( #691-695 or #2-9 if stretch) in Rubigold (marigold) and Blue Ice (smoke) over Opal. The photo of the Blue Ice over Opal vase is courtesy of Kosinski Auctions from the Wroda collection. There is a Blue Ice over Opal example on display at the National Imperial Glass Museum. The vases in Rubigold (marigold) over milk from the 1960s were made from moulds originally used in the 1920s for a light shade and a vase. There are examples in the museum. Pieces from the 1920s are unmarked and those from the 1960s are marked on the bottom IG.

If you have any examples of these treatments, please share!

Looking forward to the NMGCS convention in St Clairsville starting in just 24 days! Some may debate whether these are c...
08/02/2026

Looking forward to the NMGCS convention in St Clairsville starting in just 24 days! Some may debate whether these are considered milk glass, they are Moonstone pieces made from Imperial’s modification of Heisey moulds. The taller Ipswich Candy Pokal is on display at the Imperial museum, along with a Cathay piece in Moonstone.

One day closer to welcoming the National Milk Glass Collectors Society to Belmont County Ohio! We are more excited than...
08/01/2026

One day closer to welcoming the National Milk Glass Collectors Society to Belmont County Ohio! We are more excited than yesterday. This honey pot was one of Imperial’s early “opal” pieces and was #11/60. It has that opal fire when held up to light. A similar honey pot, from a modified mould, was made starting in the early 1950s, #1950/60. Only made in glossy. The later version was also made in other colors, most notably Black. With the current trend of bee boxes and honey jars, finding one is a real treasure. Do you have one in your collection? Show it off if you do.

The NMGCS Convention is less than a month away! At the National Imperial Glass Collectors Society and Museum, we are so...
07/31/2026

The NMGCS Convention is less than a month away! At the National Imperial Glass Collectors Society and Museum, we are so excited and tickled that the convention is coming to St Clairsville, Belmont County Ohio! Conventioneers will visit our museum! Milk Glass and Opaque Glass were important product lines for Imperial. Here is a #1950/613 Six Inch Whisk Broom Bud Vase with gold decoration. Made from 1964-68.

It’s National Chicken Wings Day! This four inch Imperial Hen on Nest is barely large enough to hold one chicken wing! ...
07/30/2026

It’s National Chicken Wings Day! This four inch Imperial Hen on Nest is barely large enough to hold one chicken wing! Imperial didn’t make many hens on nest, unlike other factories such as Indiana.

There's still time to attend the Mega2 carnival glass convention in Cedar Falls, Iowa next week! This is a joint convent...
07/15/2026

There's still time to attend the Mega2 carnival glass convention in Cedar Falls, Iowa next week! This is a joint convention of the International and HOACGA carnival glass associations. There is lots of fun stuff to see and do, besides getting to meet and visit with all those fun people that will help you with your questions. Don't forget to bring your hats or fascinators for the horse races. There will be a live/online Sheffield auction featuring this green Homestead plate made by Imperial. See https://www.internationalcarnivalglass.com/icga-convention/ for more information.

Address

3200 Belmont Street
Bellaire, OH
43906

Opening Hours

Thursday 11am - 3pm
Friday 11am - 3pm
Saturday 11am - 3pm

Telephone

+17406713971

Website

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