Millersburg Glass Museum features beautiful peacock carnival glass
By Tricia Flickinger
of The Bargain Hunter
Even though Millersburg Glass only produced glass for three years, it was well-known for its beauty and quality. Throughout the year, the Millersburg Glass Museum features different types of glass produced by the company. From July 1 to Sept. 30, the museum will feature a display of Millersburg peacock carnival glass.
Millersburg Glass was started in 1908 by John Fenton, after he left his brother’s company, Fenton Art Glass, in Williamstown, W.Va. The company, located just off Wooster Road, started producing crystal glass in May 1909, and later produced iridized glass, known as radium glass. Production ceased just two short years later in May 1911. Financial difficulties forced the company to reorganize into the Radium Glass Company, but unfortunately, shut its doors for good in the spring of 1912.
“Radium glass became the glass of choice because of the ability to produce that glass in Millersburg,” said Chris Sieverdes, director of the Millersburg Glass Museum. “It was produced in Millersburg because of our unique water supply and the artistry of the staff at the Millersburg Glass Company.”
The company produced radium glass from the time it was introduced until the company closed its doors. The success of this radium finish glass is evident by all of the patterns that were made. One of the more well-known patterns was, in fact, the peacock and urn.
“The peacock pattern is a very unique pattern,” Sieverdes said. “It shows the inspiration that this man had from looking at nature, looking at the animals that lived in nature and, of course, the peacocks.”
Fenton was a very creative man, and he always tinkered with things to help improve them. Carnival in peacock carnival referred to the bright and shiny iridescence of the radium glass. The minerals in the water of Millersburg allowed Fenton to create glass in a multitude of colors, including amber, amethyst, green, red bases and dark blue. At one point, he even brought peacocks from West Virginia as a color inspiration to the workers at the factory.
“He just found the peacock was something he wanted to bring and he appreciated the artistic side of this glass,” Sieverdes said.
“The peacock, to him, represented the dream he had with capturing all the colors of it.”
Fenton produced many peacock patterns, but the earlier stages of the pattern weren’t as refined as the final product. The nesting swan and the peacock were the only birds to be featured in Millersburg Glass. The peacock pattern is very popular with Millersburg collectors and there is one major difference between Millersburg Glass and Fenton Glass: it has no trademark.
“That’s the special feature about Millersburg Carnival Glass and all glass, there is no trademark on it,” Sieverdes said. “It is marked by people who know the patterns and if they know the pattern, they know it’s Millersburg Glass and that’s what makes it unique among collectors.”
Peacock carnival glass is very special, and Fenton gave Millersburg that gift a hundred years ago. Today, visitors to the museum have a gift of beautiful carnival glass. To see the display, stop in at the Millersburg Glass Museum for a tour. Cost is $3 for adults and children, accompanied by an adult, are free.
From June through October the museum is open Monday and Wednesday through Friday, from 1-6 p.m.; Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, from 1-3 p.m. The museum is closed on Tuesday. Visitors can also schedule an appointment by calling 330-674-2497.
“This is Millersburg’s legacy, and it is something that is a homegrown product,” Sieverdes added. “It’s identified with Millersburg, and my dream would be to acquire more patterns of the glass to have one of every piece created.”
