|
|
|
|
|
|
The importance of glassware was made crystal clear March 17 as State Rep. Rob Orr, R-Burleson, celebrated the 400th anniversary of glassmaking in America alongside Johnson County residents and a few special guests.
Orr presented a certificate from Gov. Rick Perry to the board of directors of the Museum of Glass Made in America Inc., a nonprofit working to build a glassmaking museum in Johnson County. President Milbra Long accepted the certificate on behalf of her organization after delivering a brief lesson on different varieties of glasswork from her collection.
Long said plans are pending to build a museum in Alvarado dedicated to the history of glass in the United States. It would be the first national museum to span the full evolution of American glassmaking.
She began searching a few years ago for the ideal location, Long said, but had little luck until she met with officials in Johnson County.
“We’ve worked really hard on getting the right location,” she said. “When we investigated a number of cities, we didn’t have too much success until we got to Alvarado.”
The faces of Alvarado City Council members lit up when Long proposed the idea of building the museum in their city, she said, noting that Mayor Tom Durington was the first individual to see her organization’s vision.
“We’re committed to making this a reality,” Durington said. “We are proud and blessed to be a part of it.”
The city council approved the purchase of seven acres for the museum on Monday night.
The museum, which is estimated to cost $30 million, will be funded by hotel taxes. It will showcase an array of glass varieties compiled from individual collections donated to the museum. Highlights planned for the national tourist attraction include a hot shop where visitors can see glass being made, an exhibit of local artisans, and a research library.
Orr expressed his excitement about the proposed museum as he thanked Long for her perseverance.
“It will be an honor to join these dedicated Johnson County residents in recognizing an industry that has become an integral part of our lives,” Orr said in a press release. “I applaud Mrs. Long and the museum’s board of directors in their quest to establish this museum in Johnson County.”
Long gave commemorative glasses to Durington, Orr and two members of Orr’s staff, Verlie Edwards and Diane Williams, to thank them for their work with the Museum of Glass Made in America Inc.
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
