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 The
Fostoria Glass Company began operations in Fostoria, Ohio, on December
15, 1887. This site was chosen because natural gas at a recently
opened field in the area had been offered at a very low cost to attract
new industries. However, the field was so short-lived that in
1891, Fostoria moved to Moundsville, West Virginia, where there was an
abundance of gas and coal, and other needed materials were close by.
During its first ten years, Fostoria made pressed
ware, but early in the century Fostoria realized the importance of developing
fine quality blown stemware.
In 1924, the company was one of the first to
start a program of national advertising, and the first to produce complete
dinner services in crystal.
Besides their regular line of blown,
etched,
and pressure patterns they did custom work, such as providing glass with
government seals for officials in Washington. All the presidents from
Eisenhower through Raegan ordered glassware from them.
At one time
Fostoria was the largest maker of handmade glassware in the United States,
employing nearly 1000 people. The AMERICAN pattern introduced in 1915, is
still being produced in Lancaster Colony who bought the Fostoria Company in
1983, making it the most successful pattern in the history of glass making.
Fostoria's business peaked in 1950 when they made over 8 million pieces of
glass.
In 1986, after struggling with an outmoded plant
and foreign competition,
Lancaster Colony was forced to close the Fostoria
Company,
ending nearly 100 years of glass making.
Owned and Operated by:
The Fostoria Glass Society
of America, Inc.
The Fostoria Glass Society of America, Inc.
is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation formed to acquire and disseminate
detailed knowledge concerning Fostoria glass; to research and promote the
preservation and collecting of Fostoria glass, and to establish and maintain a
museum for housing and displaying Fostoria glass.
There is a fifteen member Board of
Directors; five officers and eight board members are elected by the
voting membership of the Society. Officers are elected annually
and board members are elected to serve four year terms. Elections
are held by mailed ballot prior to the June Convention where election
results are announced. The Board of Directors meets quarterly, and
quarterly meetings are held for the general membership.
Benefits of Membership:
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Facets of Fostoria - a 20 page newsletter published 6 times per year which
contains the business of the Society plus interesting articles on Fostoria glass
and other materials.
-
Free Admission to the Museum. Non-members are asked for a $4.00 per person
Donation
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Opportunity to purchase souvenirs, memorabilia, and research helps sold through
the Society.
-
Opportunity to participate in an annual June Auction to benefit the Fostoria
Glass Museum.
-
Opportunity to attend the annual Convention.
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Opportunity to join a study club - FGSA currently boasts affiliate study clubs
in West Virginia, Texas, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. Any group of
Fostoria collectors can apply to form a study club in their area. The club
must follow a few simple guidelines set by the National Organization. All
members of study clubs must hold a current membership in F.G.S.A. Any
questions must be directed to Fostoria Glass Society of America, Inc., P.O. Box
826, Moundsville, WV 26041
Membership: $16.00 per person per year
Fostoria
Glass Society of America
Presents the 26th Annual
Show & Sale
June 9, 10, 11, 2006
To Learn More, Visit the...
Fostoria Glass Museum
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