Exploring One of West Virginia’s Oldest Glass Factories

Blenko Glass, located in Milton, West Virginia, has been a staple of Mountain State industry for more than 100 years, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon. They recently began an apprenticeship program with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship and the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, the first registered glass worker apprenticeship in the state. 

Not only does this provide on-the-job experience and training and valuable lifelong skillsets for the inaugural class of twelve apprentices, but it also furthers the legacy of Blenko itself. 

I was fortunate to attend the apprenticeship signing ceremony at Blenko earlier this month, where I was also given a tour of the factory because it was my first time ever visiting. Yes, you read that right. As big of a glass fanatic as I am, not to mention how close in proximity to Blenko I live, I had never before visited this iconic institution. I want to thank Blenko Site Operations Director David Wertz for the detailed tour and for his time.

I learned so much during my walk through that I probably couldn’t fit it all into one blog, but one piece of knowledge that especially interested me is that not every piece of Blenko is handblown. In fact, many are mould-produced. I know a large part of the appeal is that their pieces are handblown, but as a collector of mould and patterned glass, I couldn’t help but be impressed. 

There’s nothing quite like being inside a glass factory. The heat, the energy, the creative juices flowing, the glass being produced right before your eyes…it was certainly a fun thing to witness. Getting a behind the scenes look at seeing how these pieces are made was truly incredible. 

Walking through the Blenko gift shop and museum was another treat. The museum pays tribute to Blenko designers and the pieces that have been created through the years, including, of course, the famous water bottles. For me, there’s really nothing better than being surrounded by beautiful glass, which is of course why I keep it all around me. 

Though if you read my first blog, you’ll remember I said I don’t collect Blenko. That’s not to say I don’t have any in my collection, however. In April this year, I attended United Way of the River Cities’ 100th anniversary celebration dinner, where everyone in attendance received a gorgeous ornament commemorating the occasion. I proudly display it as I do any and all of my pieces. I love that Blenko partners with businesses and organizations to create specially crafted pieces for events and moments like this. Blenko also makes a point of collaborating with local and regional artists to design some of its pieces. It’s a celebration of the arts every way around. You gotta love West Virginians supporting West Virginians. 

Our state and Blenko go hand in hand in more ways than one. Every year, Blenko crafts West Virginia-inspired pieces and celebratory items. Blenko also pays homage to Mountain State glass companies gone by, such as Pilgrim Glass, with its Pilgrim-inspired vases, or the Morgantown Glass guild tumblers. I’m wondering if they can pay tribute to the iconic Moon and Star patterned glass; maybe there’s a collaboration with Weishar in the future...? A girl can dream. 

Through the years, so much glass has been produced in the Mountain State, by so many factories and glass towns that unfortunately are no longer around. I think we need to treasure Blenko because it has stood the test of time. It perseveres, and there’s so much more in its future, especially starting with this apprenticeship program. 

If you’re ever given the opportunity, or if you’ve been thinking about it, you absolutely should plan a visit to Blenko. And be sure to visit the gift shop; with so many fun, unique pieces (hello, I didn’t even know they made lamps!), you can find something for yourself or a loved one. Truly, I don’t know what makes a better gift than glass—West Virginia-made glass to be specific. Blenko is the last glass giant in West Virginia; while Weishar and its Island Mould Company aren’t far behind, they haven’t yet celebrated a century in business. 

As I mentioned in my first West Virginia glass blog, I love antiquing, and anytime I travel, I make a point to stop at a new or unfamiliar antique store. It’s always fun to see pieces originally made here, like Blenko, that have ended up all over the country; you can see how its influence and admiration spread. Much like Fenton, which was also made in West Virginia, Blenko has collectors from all over. So, it’s pretty cool when you live just a few miles from where it’s produced. I don’t want to think where West Virginia would be without it. It’s just a testament to, again, how much of a staple Blenko is. 

Since my visit, I’m catching myself noticing more Blenko pieces and admiring them even more than I used to. There are some stunning designs and colors, and from the way their pieces are crafted, you can spot a Blenko piece almost immediately. I love that my visit to the factory has sparked more of an interest, as well as a deeper appreciation, for this West Virginia-made glass. You can’t help but feel a certain pride in Blenko. So, here’s to its apprentices and their future, may they shine as bright as the glass itself. 

This is the second installment in a short series showcasing the history of glass in West Virginia.