Heritage Glass Museum

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The Heritage Glass Museum was founded in 1979 as a community nonprofit that collects, preserves, and curates historic southern New Jersey glass (historic and fine art), artifacts, photographs, and documents in order to inspire diverse audiences to explore the rich cultural history of New Jersey’s glass-making heritage. Utilizing its unique collection and library, the museum collaborates with artists, collectors, community leaders, researchers, and teachers to develop innovative educational programs, exhibitions, publications, and initiatives that encourage learning, exploration, and a deeper, more personal connection with the community.

The Museum was founded by Marilyn Campbell Plasket who was born on July 27, 1929. Mrs. Plasket's family was immersed in the glassmaking tradition as both her grandparents and parents had worked for the Whitney Glass Works, which was located in the center of Glassboro, NJ.

As a child, Mrs. Campbell was inspired by her family's glassmaking tradition and began collecting historic glass. She also began studying Glassboro's history, which inspired her to collect Glassboro artifacts and memorabilia. Marilyn's curiosity and commitment to learning were truly inspiring, and through her work, she recognized the goodness and uniqueness of the Glassboro community and set out to advocate for preserving the town’s rich heritage for future generations. 

To help make her dream possible, Mrs. Campbell eventually decided to become a teacher. In 1971, she graduated from Glassboro State College with her Master's Degree in Education, completing her thesis, the Historical Development of the Whitney Glass Works in Glassboro, New Jersey. She then taught elementary education for the Glassboro School system before discovering her true calling in teaching art. Through her years as an art teacher, she taught and inspired numerous generations of children to appreciate and explore the interconnectedness of art, creativity, history, and community. 

In addition to teaching art and collecting Glassboro memorabilia and historic glass, Mrs. Campbell, worked tirelessly to secure a place where the story of Glassboro – a story explicitly about perseverance, creativity, commitment to community, and glassmaking – could be preserved and taught to future generations.

In 1979, with a team of dedicated friends and the support of the Borough of Glassboro, Mrs. Campbell's hard work and tenacity paid off with the founding of the Heritage Glass Museum. Since its founding, the Heritage Glass Museum has operated completely through dedicated volunteers.

The Museum includes over 2,500 artifacts related to Southern New Jersey's glassmaking tradition. This history includes topics such as American history, globalization, the industrial revolution, transportation of food, child labor laws, labor unions, railroads, environmental issues, geography, geology, and of course early glass production and glass art. 

Explore the Museum:
https://www.heritageglassmuseum.com/