Sandwich Glass Museum and Historical Society

10/14/2026

The Fight for Freedom

On October 16, 1859, 167 years ago this week, abolitionist John Brown and Twenty-one followers—five Black men and sixteen white men—attacked the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, hoping to seize weapons and launch an uprising against slavery. Ten raiders were killed, and Brown and six others were tried, convicted, and executed by the state of Virginia. The raid failed but it intensified the conflict over slavery that was dividing the nation.

This 1866 print in the Sandwich Historical Society’s collections depicts a later moment in that struggle: Abraham Lincoln reading a draft of the Emancipation Proclamation to his cabinet on July 22, 1862, with the Civil War underway.

Engraved by Alexander Hay Ritchie after Francis Bicknell Carpenter’s painting, the scene looks solemn and orderly. But Cabinet members disagreed about emancipation and its consequences, and Secretary of State William Seward urged Lincoln to wait for a Union military victory before announcing it.

When the proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, it declared freedom for enslaved people, but only in states that had seceded from the Union and those parts of the Confederacy that were then under Northern control. It did not end slavery throughout the country, but it made emancipation an explicit Union war aim.

Published after the war and Lincoln’s assassination, this print helped preserve one aspect of the fight for emancipation. Not visible in this print are the enslaved people pursuing their own freedom, abolitionists organizing against slavery, and Black soldiers fighting for the Union.

As we continue to reflect on America’s 250th anniversary, this image invites us to consider the struggle that lay between the Declaration’s promise of equality and the efforts to make it a reality.

Pictured: (L-R) Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War; Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury; Abraham Lincoln, President; Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy; Caleb B. Smith, Secretary of the Interior; William H. Seward, Secretary of State; Montgomery Blair, Postmaster General; Edward Bates, Attorney General

10/13/2026

On October 24th, during Massachusetts Archaeology month, the New England Chapter of the American Society for Amateur Archaeology is holding their annual meeting at the Sandwich Glass Museum and Historical Society.

It's free and open to the public!

Explore archaeological finds from New England through artifact displays, identifications, and a presentation on a privately excavated site in West Barnstable. Whether you're a curious beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, this event promises a unique and enriching experience.

Event Highlights:

Display of Native American archaeology artifacts, featuring items from the Sandwich Historical Society’s collection and from Sandwich, Cape Cod, and across New England.
Expert Identifications – bring your own Native American archaeology artifact for professional examination and insight, 12 noon - 1pm
Featured Presentation – Starting at 1:00 pm, Mark Rovzar, a Cape Cod resident and member of the New England Chapter of ASAA, will give a presentation: “The Rovzar Site, West Barnstable.” The presentation describes a 10-year private, husband and wife, archaeological excavation of a multi-component Native American coastal site on their property. This important site dates from the Late Paleo through Colonial Periods. On display will be 750 artifacts from the site.
Join us for a fascinating afternoon of archaeology, conversation, and community.
https://sandwichglassmuseum.org/pages/asaa-annual-meeting

10/12/2026

Spooky season is in full swing, and there is still time to grab a spot in our remaining October classes! Check out the lineup on our website and lock in your spot before the month slips away. We can't wait to see you there!
🔗 Claim your spot now: sandwichglassmuseum.org
⏰ Museum Hours: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM

10/12/2026

🍁 Thank you for making Pumpkin Fest a magical weekend! 🎃
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who came out to the Sandwich Glass Museum for our Pumpkin Fest! From our handcrafted glass pumpkins and colorful gourds to those playful ghosts and witches, your enthusiasm made this autumn celebration truly special.
Whether you took home a new centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table or a unique touch of fall charm for your home, we hope your new glass treasures bring you joy all season long. Thank you for supporting our artists and celebrating the spirit of autumn with us! 🍂✨

10/11/2026

A Case of Mistaken Identity!

How did Mary Gregory become famous for glass she almost certainly never painted?

For decades, collectors attributed glass decorated with white enamel children chasing butterflies, blowing bubbles, or rolling hoops to Mary Gregory, a decorator at the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company. You’ll still find these charming pieces called “Mary Gregory” glass.

Mary Gregory (1856–1908) was a real person, and she really did paint glass in Sandwich during the early 1880s. But the well-known children? There’s no documented evidence that she painted them, or that this style was ever produced at the Sandwich factory. Instead, it was European glassmakers and decorators who originally produced these designs.

What did Mary Gregory paint? The diaries she and her sister Emma kept, now preserved in the Museum’s collections, describe painting winter scenes and landscapes with deer, with no mention of the children that made her name famous.

A dish with a painted deer scene in the collection is attributed to Gregory through its family history. Mary Gregory wrote in her diary on Feb 3, 1883 "Began new pattern this afternoon and think I shall like it - a landscape with a couple of deer."

How the misattribution happened is unclear, though some glass historians trace the tale to a local antiques dealer in the 1920s. Whatever the reason, the name “Mary Gregory” stuck, even as research challenged the story behind it.

Here’s to giving Mary Gregory more credit for the work she actually did!

Captions: Vase with "Mary Gregory"-style painting; Photograph of Mary Gregory; Boston & Sandwich glass plate, painting attributed to Mary Gregory, 1883-1884.

10/11/2026

10/11/2026

🎃 The fun continues! Pumpkin Fest Day 2 kicks off at 10 AM! 🍂

Join us for another festive day filled with beautiful glass pumpkins, colorful gourds, playful ghosts, and witches galore!

Nothing says fall quite like a handcrafted glass pumpkin from the Sandwich Glass Museum. Whether you’re adding a touch of autumn charm to your home or looking for the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table, we have something special for you!

🍁 Come celebrate the season with us! 🎃

10/10/2026

Drop in and see us this afternoon at 50 Pearl Street, the corner of Pearl and Summer Streets on the Hyannis HyArts Campus!
Happening at the Hyannis HyArts Campus this afternoon 2-4pm:
Join us at the Hyannis HyArts Campus for a hands-on glass fusing pendant-making workshop! Create a gorgeous set of one-of-a-kind pendant necklaces while learning thefundamentals of working with glass.

With guidance from our experienced instructors, you’ll learn how to safely cut, shape, layer, and arrange sheet glass to create your own unique designs. Whether you’re new to glass fusing or looking to build your skills, this workshop is a fun and creative way to gain confidence while exploring the possibilities of fused glass.

Once your pendants are complete, they will be kiln fired to bring your designs to life. Finished projects are guaranteed to be ready for pickup within one week.

Need your pieces shipped? No problem! Shipping can be arranged in person after class for an additional fee.

Come create, experiment, and leave with a beautiful set of handmade glass pendants!

10/10/2026

The big day is here! 🎃 Our biggest outdoor festival fundraiser of the year officially opens at 10:00AM!
Stop by the lawn tent to browse tables overflowing with one-of-a-kind glass art—from sparkling pumpkins and colorful harvest gourds to eerie little glass cats ready for spooky season.
Bring the family, meet our incredible local makers, and explore the museum shop! 🍂🔮
The magic runs rain or shine, so come on by and join the fun today!
🗓️ Pumpkin Fest Hours: Open today until 2:00 PM (Lawn & Museum Shop)
🏛️ Museum Hours: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
💸 Free outdoor admission