2018 marks the 150th anniversary of the relocation of Brooklyn Flint Glass Company from Brooklyn to Corning, New York. In celebration of this milestone, the Corning Museum of Glass launched GlassBarge – a 30′ x 80′ canal barge equipped with CMoG’s patented all-electric glassmaking equipment – in Brooklyn Bridge Park in May. In addition to sharing the story of glassmaking in Corning, GlassBarge is the 2018 signature event for the statewide celebration of the Erie Canal Bicentennial.
A 3-Day Celebration!
The GlassBarge has arrived in Watkins Glen and is docked at Seneca Harbor Pier through September 16th. This will kick off a 3-day celebration and community event called Glass in the Glen including live hot glass demos, plus fireworks, live music, and a festival-like atmosphere with vendors and local artisans in “The Market”. There is no charge to attend any portion of this great event, but seats for the live hot glass demos must be reserved in advance. Reserve your seat here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/glassbarge-watkins-glen-tickets-48812134408
The History of the Chemung Canal talk on Thursday night also requires registration through Eventbrite.com by searching “Schuyler Historian Talk”.
A free shuttle service is available Friday and Saturday from 4pm to 10pm. Route 1 runs between Seneca Harbor Park & Clute Park. Route 2 will loop from the High School/Arc parking lot on 12th St., the State Park parking lot on 10th St., and Seneca Harbor Park.
The schedule of free events includes:
Thursday, September 13th
History of the Chemung Canal by Historian Gary Emerson aboard GlassBarge – 6:30PM
Friday, September 14th
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony aboard GlassBarge – 10AM
Free Live Hot Glass Demos aboard GlassBarge 11AM – 6PM
Free Tours of Lois McClure 11am – 6PM
Glass in the Glen “The Market” 12PM – 9PM
Live Music – The Ende Brothers (Village Marina Stage) 12PM – 2:30PM
Live Music – Nate Michaels (Village Marina Stage) 2:30PM – 5:30PM
Live Music – Donna the Buffalo (Seneca Harbor Park) 6PM – 9PM
Fireworks over Seneca Harbor Park 9pm
Saturday, September 15th
Live Hot Glass Demos aboard GlassBarge 9:30AM – 6PM
Glass in the Glen “The Market” 12PM – 9PM
Live Music – The Sweats (Village Marina Stage) 12PM – 2:30PM
Live Music – Telephone Party (Village Marina Stage) 2:30PM – 5PM
Live Music – The Destination (Seneca Harbor Park) 6PM – 9PM
History of the Chemung Canal by Historian Gary Emerson (RoosterFish Brewing) 6:30PM
Fireworks over Seneca Harbor Park 9PM
Sunday, September 16th
Live Hot Glass Demos aboard GlassBarge 9:30AM – 5PM
Glass in the Glen “The Market” 12PM – 5PM
Live Music – Horse Stories (Seneca Harbor Park) 12PM – 2PM
Live Music – Sim Redmond Band (Seneca Harbor Park) 2PM – 4PM
Background info on tour (provided by CMOG)
Glassmaking innovations in Corning have shaped the modern world, from the first electric light bulbs for Thomas Edison and the invention of optical fiber for telecommunications, to the glass used in modern flat screen displays. And that story all began with a voyage on New York State’s waterways.
In 1868, the Brooklyn Flint Glass Company relocated to Corning, via the New York Waterways, and evolved into the company that is today known as Corning Incorporated. In celebration of the 150th anniversary of this pivotal journey, CMoG will launch GlassBarge—a 30′ x 80′ canal barge equipped with CMoG’s patented all-electric glassmaking equipment—in Brooklyn Bridge Park on May 17, 2018. It will then travel north on the Hudson, then westward along the Erie Canal before making its way to the Finger Lakes. It will stop at ports in Yonkers, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Albany, Little Falls, Sylvan Beach, Baldwinsville, Fairport, Lockport, Buffalo, Medina, Brockport, Pittsford, Seneca Falls, and Watkins Glen. A ceremonial last leg of the trip will take place by land, concluding in Corning with a community-wide celebration on September 22.
In addition to sharing the story of glassmaking in Corning, the GlassBarge tour 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. The GlassBarge journey will also be celebrated back in Corning with a re-installation of the Crystal City Gallery, which shares the story of how Corning became one of the premier centers for glass cutting in the United States.
For more information, email [email protected].
PARTNERS
The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum will invite people aboard the Lois McClure to learn about what life was like on board a canal barge in the 19th century. Tours are first come, first served and do not require registration. The South Street Seaport Museum will also be on hand to talk about their historic tug that will be moving GlassBarge along the waterways.
