Art & Fun Are Crystal Clear at WheatonArts
NY & NJ: When Alex went with his friend Sam to the Goldsmith
family 
lake house in Ithaca, New York a few summers ago, he
naturally enjoyed the seasonal pursuits of splashing, running and relaxing that such a location inspires. But one of the more surprising outcomes of his trip was a visit to the Corning Museum of Glass, a first-rate museum and educational center with one of the world’s premier collection of art and historical glass. Here Alex witnessed glass being blown, twisted and made into objects both artistic and functional, and even got to try his own hand at the art. A delicate crystalline flower in swirls of blue, yellow and white is an object of great pride that continues to evoke a smile and memories whenever it catches his eye.
While Corning may be a more recognized name for some in the annals of glass lore, glass production is equally indigenous to the small southern New Jersey community of Millville. And there, one will find the very special WheatonArts.
Millville is the location of America’s earliest successful glass factory, founded in 1789 by Caspar Wistar. In 1888, Millville pharamacist Theodore Corson Wheaton began making his own bottles in a local facility, ultimately providing the beginnings of giant glass manufacturer, Wheaton USA. When Dr. Wheaton’s grandson visited the Corning Museum of Glass in the 1960s, he discovered that much of the glass on display was in fact produced in Millville and other small towns throughout southen New Jersey. From this idea developed the now well-regarded WheatonArts (formerly Wheaton Village).
The “Village” initially consisted of the museum collection (this is now the administration building), a General Store, a museum store called the “Brownstone Emporium,” and support facilities. Over the years, the Museum of American Glass, the T. C. Wheaton Glass Factory, Dr. T. C. Wheaton Pharmacy (now the Down Jersey Folklife Center), West Jersey Crafts (now The Gallery of Fine Craft), Arthur Gorham Paperweight Shop, Crafts and Trades Row and a barn were added. In all, WheatonArts today consists of over 20 buildings dotted across a 60-acre landscape.
In the early 1980s, a program to support emerging contemporary glass artists was created through the Creative Glass Center of America. Most recently, WheatonArts is a 2007 recipient of a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, providing residency fellowships for 12 glass artists.
A fully operational glass factory presents daily, interpretive demonstrations for the public with artists showing traditional and contemporary glassblowing techniques. In the Craft Studios artists demonstrate traditional southern New Jersey crafts of pottery, wood and flameworking. The 1863 C. P. Huntington Train, 1876 Centre Grove Schoolhouse, Arthur Gorham Paperweight Shop, Christmas Shop, and Education Center round out WheatonArts.
Millville also has an interesting story to share as a redeveloping industrial town of 27,000. Known as the Holly City of America, this rural community situated on the Maurice River prides itself on its community spirit and neighborly quality of life. Millville is currently redeveloping the waterfront as a vital downtown feature, as well as the Glasstown Arts District, complete with walkways, a boardwalk, and public places. The town is located just 45 minutes from Cape May, Atlantic City, Wilmington, DE and Philadelphia,PA.
Perfect for children, history buffs, art enthusiasts and weekend travellers, WheatonArts is a great way to warm up a chilly winter day: enjoying hot contemporary art and learning about a molten, age-old technique in a redeveloping industrial small town.
Just The Facts
WheatonArts winter hours (through March) are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Shopping and strolling on the grounds is free. During winter months, museum admission is $9 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, $6 for students and free for children 5 and under.
If you wish to make this a weekend trip, there is a Country Inn on the property.
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