Known for its early handmade glass tableware, the Imperial Glass Company, a.k.a. “The Big I,” manufactured glassware for 80 years in the town of Bellaire, Ohio. The Imperial Glass Collectors’ Society established this museum in 2003 to keep its legacy alive in the area.
The Imperial Glass Company was founded in the Ohio River town of Bellaire, and the factory started producing handmade glass in 1904. It became a success early on, thanks to its intricate patterns and variety of price points. The company would later be known for its innovative lines of glass such as Candlewick, Free Hand, and Lead Lustre.
In later years, Imperial Glass faced tough competition from cheaper imports and a slowing economy. The company was ultimately dissolved in 1984 after several buyouts and the factory was bulldozed to make way for a shopping wall. Today, the Imperial Glass Collectors’ Society preserves the city’s little-known
