Corning Museum of Glass, Corning

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Excellent museum, with a large historical collection, a didactic area about new technologies, a large shop, and a living demonstration of Steuben’s staff.

I've seen some other glass museums in the world after being there, but Corning keeps being number one.

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If you're making a visit to Corning, one of the "must sees" is the Corning Museum of Glass, which includes not only a fascinating collection of glass through the millenia (I was going to say "centuries" but evidence of glass-making goes way, way back) but also galleries devoted to the latest works of art in glass, in many different styles.

One of the best things about this museum is that it caters to young people. Everyone under age 19 is admitted free, but that's not all; virtually every gallery has a "touch and see" station where one of the "Explainers" (I loved that name), generally a young person, would demonstrate some glass technique or show the steps involved in creating glass items. There is also an entire section of the museum devoted to young people -- the hands-on Innovation Center -- and they are invited to take classes which include glass design and fabrication. During my visit, a young man had drawn an interesting vase which was then created (blown and "dressed") right before our very eyes at the Glass-blowing Show. He was extremely proud and it was fun to see the way the design became reality.

There is also an interesting section devoted to the history of glass-making in the town of Corning.

Admission for adults is $14.00, but those over 55 get a 15% discount and local residents pay only $6.00 -- and can bring friends for the same price.

The Museum Shop is vast and captivating, and there is also a nice cafe where you can grab a bite, although seeing the entire facility isn't overly taxing. I'd allocate two or three hours, depending on your interest in the subject matter.

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Here, one can learn all about the manufacture, history, uses, and practical how-to tips of glass. It's something that most of us simply take for granted. Hardly anyone goes through even one day without using something that has glass in it.

Glassmaking dates back to very ancient times. Today, glass is used in fiber optic cables (such as the ones that make the internet work), medicine, telescopes, cookware, construction, and electro-optics, to name a few applications.

Galleries contain ancient glass, historical displays, modern glass artwork, historical exhibits on the city of Corning, and more. There are many daily demonstrations of glassmaking, and visitors can even try their hands at it themselves. Instructors will offer plenty of advice and assistance. The gift shop has all kinds of glass items and books on glass. There is also a cafe and a modest coffee shop. This is Corning's number one attraction.

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This museum is not only the depository of the history of glass making but it is the growing child of the glass industry. There are demonstrations of the latest techniques of making glass for commercial and artistic purposes. The exhibits are ever-changing and show not only the past use of glass but hint at future developments in communication and space exploration due to the properties of glass objects.

Many of the things shown have hands-on property so it can be more interesting to children as well as adults. The glass blowing demonstration is always interesting (I saw it when I was a kid and now my grandson has seen it too). They have added a workshop now where you can apply to work with a professional to make your own glass treasure. The demonstration by the glassworker who makes little trinkets with an open flame and glass wires is worth a half-hour of your time.

The gift shop is much more than that... it is a mini art museum showing the latest creations of local talent as well as expensive pieces created by well-known glass artists.

We spent three hours here and had lunch in there expansive but not expensive cafeteria.
see the website below for times that the museum is open and current entry fees.
the website has a very good map that shows detail directions to get there.

This is fun - it has the Corning Glass Museum, a Science Hall and the glass factory. Exhibits change all the time, and they also do workshops - friends went to do glass-blowing for the weekend and ended up with some cool stuff.

The Corning Glass Factory is the largest tourist attraction in Corning. Corning glass is a common brand of cookware and glassware in America. There are tours of the factory available.