Glenville State University to host Ludwik Glass exhibit and reception – Museum of American Glass in WV

News Release
August 9, 2023

GLENVILLE, WV – Glenville State University is hosting a Museum of American Glass in West Virginia exhibit that highlights the activities of the Ludwik Glass Company in its Fine Arts Building during the first two weeks of the semester. Beginning on Monday, August 14 and ending on Thursday, August 24, the Fine Arts Gallery will be open on Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for students, faculty, staff, and the community to see this exhibit. Please also make note that there will be a closing reception on Thursday, August 24 at 4 p.m.

Glenville, WV was once home to a single glass factory from 1940 to 1952, Ludwik Glass Company. This facility was located on the hill near the intersection of US 33/119 and Route 5 on what is known as Factory Road. Many local residents still refer to the location as “Glass Factory Hill.” The items made there included pitchers, glasses, vases, plates, and bowls. The glassware is most recognizable by its hand-painted flowers and wheel cut decorations.

Glass master Louie Wohinc opened Ludwik in 1940 as part of a multiple factory empire that he was developing which included Louie Glass Company in nearby Weston. The name of the factory was a play on his first name and the nationality of the Austrian born Wohinc. At its height of activity, the factory employed over 200 central West Virginians with census records showing 64 Glenville citizens working there at around the time it closed. A listing of these individuals is provided at the exhibit.

Glenville State University would like to acknowledge all those who made this exhibit possible and the efforts that they put forth to preserve the important history of the glass industry in this area and beyond. The Museum of American Glass in Weston, WV is the most important entity regarding our ability to have such an exhibit. Their board, which includes Gilmer County’s Mr. Willard Wright and Mr. Cody Moore, were the catalyst for this activity, and the majority of the glass pieces here are from the personal collections of Mr. Wright and his mother, Mrs. Betty (Greenlief) Wright. The Robert F. Kidd Library’s Director, Mr. Jason Gum, is also a part of the museum board and has assisted with the research and development of this exhibit.