Photos by Karen Fien
After spending the weekend of August 17 through 19 entertaining and educating crowds in Brockport, GlassBarge and an accompanying flotilla of historic ships docked in Spencerport for their final westside stop on Wednesday, August 22.
GlassBarge was launched to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the relocation of the Brooklyn Flint Glass Company – now known as Corning Incorporated – via the New York Waterways by canal barge to Corning, which would become a center for important artistic and technological innovations in glass. In addition to sharing the story of glassmaking in Corning, the recreation of the 1868 barge voyage emphasizes the continued role of New York’s waterways in shaping the state’s industry, culture, and community. GlassBarge is the 2018 signature event for the statewide celebration of the Erie Canal Bicentennial (2017-2025).
GlassBarge is “a unique project that embodies the museum’s dedication to educational programming outreach and celebrates the history of glass with new audiences throughout the state,” said Karol Wight, President and Executive Director of The Corning Museum of Glass. “We are very grateful to our many supporters, especially Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council, without which the project would not have been possible.”
GlassBarge proved to be a popular attraction with tickets selling out quickly. “An experience so close to home, with the combination of the Corning GlassBarge and the Canal Schooner Lois McClure, not to be missed,” said Betty and Karen Riley of Spencerport.
Roberta Voelkl of Spencerport agreed. “Amazing, hadn’t seen glassblowing since I was a little kid.”
