Located midway between New York City and Niagara Falls, with convenient access off Interstate 86, is the Corning Museum of Glass. Created in 1951 by Corning Glass Works as a gift to the nation, the museum campus holds the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass, the foremost library on glass, and one of the top glassworking schools in the world.
“We provide guided tours of our collection, which is divided into ancient, modern, and contemporary periods,” says Melissa Rose, group sales manager. “A tour tells the story of glass and how Corning became the ‘Crystal City.’ ”
Students can explore the science and technology of glass in the museum’s Innovations Center, which explains the company’s major inventions—optical fiber, Gorilla Glass, Corelle, Pyrex, etc.—through interactive displays.
“A really popular program is the live, narrated demonstrations that run daily. You’ll see glassblowing, glass breaking, flameworking at the torch, and optical fiber demos,” Rose says.
Visitors can try their own hand at glass making in workshops where they create a glass flower, a pumpkin or a holiday ornament.
And if a group of hungry students needs to fuel up, they can eat in a spacious café—either indoors or outdoors—with lunches they bring with them or purchase at the café.
“We can also provide bagged lunches or cater a pizza party or other meals,” Rose says.
Students under 17 get complimentary admission, and the museum provides drivers and escorts with courtesy cards that can be used anywhere in the café or gift shop.
For more details, email Rose or go to visit.cmog.org/group-tours.
Top photo: Flameworking demonstration at the Corning Museum of Glass
Photo by Corning Museum of Glass
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