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Our Experience At The Corning Museum Of Glass

See what it’s like to visit the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York.

The Corning Museum of Glass
The Corning Museum of Glass | Image: ©2foodtrippers

As we entered The Corning Museum of Glass, we read: “Glass is different things to different people. At The Corning Museum of Glass, you will discover the many things glass can be.” During our visit, we discovered art, history and science through glass. We even found beauty through glass.

Corning Museum Of Glass

The museum has an extensive collection of glass that spans 3,500 years. Mandy Kritzeck, Content & Media Specialist, gave us a personal tour and made sure that we saw the highlights. We started the tour by checking out the contemporary section. We were drawn to the whimsical art made by Ginny Ruffner and the fiberglass bowls made by Toots Zynsky.

Contemporary Art at The Corning Museum of Glass
Contemporary Art at The Corning Museum of Glass | Images: ©2foodtrippers

The most photographed piece in the contemporary section, if not the entire museum, is the chess set made by Gianni Toso, a Venetian artist, in 1981. The chess set is quite unique with Jewish and Catholic religious figures standing in for the normal kings and knights. The crosses and Torahs add to the fascinating board game’s religious theme.

Chess Set by Gianni Toso,at The Corning Museum of Glass
Chess Set by Gianni Toso, circa 1981 at The Corning Museum of Glass | Images: ©2foodtrippers

The museum’s historical collections provide glimpses into past civilizations including Egypt, Rome and Islam. The pieced-together black hemispherical bowl with an inlaid nihilistic scene from Rome, circa 4th – 5th century A.D., is a true treasure in terms of both art and history.

Cool Historic Pieces at The Corning Museum of Glass
Cool Historic Pieces at The Corning Museum of Glass | Images: ©2foodtrippers

There are lots of interesting collections from bowls to vases to furniture. We were drawn to the snuff bottle collection with its Asian flair.

Snuff Bottles at The Corning Museum of Glass
Snuff Bottles at The Corning Museum of Glass | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Portraits are always interesting, especially when they span the centuries.

Glass Portraits at The Corning Museum of Glass
Glass Portraits, Old and New, at The Corning Museum of Glass | Images: ©2foodtrippers

One of the museum’s highlights is the Louis Comfort Tiffany window. Designed for an estate in Irvington-on-Hudson, the window reminded us of the Dream Garden at the Curtis Building in Philadelphia.

Tiffany Window at The Corning Museum of Glass
Window by Louis Comfort Tiffany, circa 1905, at The Corning Museum of Glass | Image: ©2foodtrippers

During our walk through the Innovation Center, we learned how glass is used from the mundane (casseroles) to the electronic (cell phones) to the exotic (spaceships). It was interesting to hear how Corning invents products before their uses are fully realized, which is what happened with the glass that is now used for computer screens.

Innovation Center at The Corning Museum of Glass
Innovation Center at The Corning Museum of Glass | Images: ©2foodtrippers

The interactive exhibits are perfect for kids of all ages, including big kids like us.

Corning Casserole Tower at The Corning Museum of Glass
Corning Casserole Tower at The Corning Museum of Glass | Images: ©2foodtrippers

As we checked out the many scientific applications for glass, it was good to get a reminder of where much of the Corning legend began. It’s not every day that you can see a giant tower of casseroles.

Hot Glass Show at the Corning Museum of Glass
Hot Glass Show | Image: ©2foodtrippers

After viewing the various and vast collections, it was fun to take a break to watch glass actually get made. The hot glass show featured two gaffers, i.e. master glassmakers, making a decorative vase. These master glassmakers made the vase in a 2300 degree furnace. Interestingly, the video camera inside the furnace was developed for use in the space industry.

Making Glass Flowers at The Corning Museum of Glass
Making Glass Flowers at The Corning Museum of Glass | Images: ©2foodtrippers

Once we saw glass get made, it was time for the 2foodtrippers to try our hands at making glass ourselves. Kurt Carlson guided us through the process of selecting colors and creating glass flowers from scratch. Since the flowers needed to cool overnight, the museum mailed the flowers to us in Philadelphia.

The Corning Museum of Glass is located at 1 Museum Way, Corning, NY, 14830, United States.

Lunch In Corning

Downtown Corning New York
Downtown Corning | Image: ©2foodtrippers

It wouldn’t be a food trip without food. Conveniently, Corning’s historic district is a short walk from the museum.

Lunch at Holmes Plate in Corning New York
Lunch at Holmes Plate in Downtown Corning | Images: ©2foodtrippers

Although there were a few cute bakeries, we opted to eat lunch at Holmes Plate. The burger and chili hit the spot. We were disappointed that the Ommegang Game of Thrones keg was kicked, but we happily settled for a glass of Great Lakes Tripel Dog Dare to share instead.

Holmes Plate was located at 54 W Market St, Corning, NY 14830, United States. It is now permanently closed.

Ice Cream at Dippity Do Dahs in Corning New York
Ice Cream at Dippity Do Dahs in Downtown Corning | Images: ©2foodtrippers

As we strolled along Market Street, we enjoyed a scoop of maple walnut ice cream from Dippity Do Dahs. Made on site with local ingredients, the ice cream was a tasty treat.

Dippity Do Dahs is located at 58 E Market St, Corning, NY 14830, United States.

After lunch, we headed back to the museum to finish our tour. We ended our visit with a walk through the colorful gift shop with glass items from local and global artists and companies.

Gift Shop at The Corning Museum of Glass
Gift Shop at The Corning Museum of Glass | Images: ©2foodtrippers

Three hours at the museum was not enough considering the quantity and quality of the exhibits, and we will surely return when we next visit the Finger Lakes.

See what it’s like to taste wine in the Finger Lakes.

If we make glass flowers again, hopefully they’ll look better then the two flowers we created on this first visit. Then again, it surely takes years of practice to be a real glass artisan like those featured at the Corning Museum of Glass.

Glass Flowers
Glass Flowers Made by 2foodtrppers | Images: ©2foodtrippers

The Corning Museum of Glass is open seven days a week. Admission is free for kids and teens, and it’s reasonably priced for adults. Check out the museum’s website for full details and discounts.

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About The Authors

About The Authors

Daryl & Mindi Hirsch

Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers their unique taste of the world.

Disclosures

Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.

Sponsorship
We thank the Corning Museum of Glass for providing us with complimentary entry and a private tour to facilitate this article.

Original Publication Date: May 11, 2014

Bruce M

Monday 25th of July 2022

I am very surprised they did not tell you about the major flood that hit the Corning area in 1972. My Uncle lived across the trees from the Glass Center and it carried his house down the street. The Glass Center received major damage to both building and exhibits. I was a JR Curator while in grade school and I have seen that Glass Center evolve. You need to go back and enjoy the Italian restaurants on Market St.

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Friday 29th of July 2022

Thanks for the restaurant tip and backstory. Much appreciated!

Kelly

Sunday 12th of June 2022

my grandfather Harry Barber was the first gaffer to have a the first female catcher. I remember watching him blow glass and it was just an amazing thing that they could do. When I moved away from Western New York is something I really miss is the Corning area.

Bruce M

Monday 25th of July 2022

@Kelly, my family were gaffers along with Bob LeBaron my neighbor. According to my Uncle Merle..the last piece of glass that came out of A Factory he made and is on Amo's desk.

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Monday 13th of June 2022

What a cool memory. Thanks for sharing it here.

Brianna

Saturday 13th of December 2014

I have a friend who took a glass blowing class here and loved it!

Jessica

Wednesday 19th of November 2014

We were just there as well! We really enjoyed our glass making class but I admit the heat of the ovens made me nervous! Finger Lakes is such a beautiful Region!

Lesley Peterson

Wednesday 1st of October 2014

I hope to get to the Corning Museum of Glass this fall. Those flowers are beautiful, BTW, especially for a first try!

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