About Us

Vision

The Sandwich Historical Society and its Glass Museum collects, preserves, and interprets the history of the Town of Sandwich, MA, the oldest town on Cape Cod. A large part of Sandwich history is involved with American glass production.

We strive to recreate the feeling of that booming, smoking glass factory from long ago, as our visitors feel the heat from the glass furnace on their faces, hear the hiss of steam as the superheated tools are quenched, and marvel as the glassblower transforms molten glass into unique works of art.

Mission

The Mission of the Sandwich Glass Museum, incorporated as the Sandwich Historical Society in 1907, is to promote a broad understanding and appreciation of Sandwich town history, with particular emphasis on the unique contribution of the glass industry to the local community, the region, the nation, and the world.

In addition, The Sandwich Glass Museum will explore the contemporary use of glass as a medium for the creation of art and fine craft, relating contemporary work to historical techniques, and will educate the public regarding this use through exhibitions, presentations and demonstrations.

In order to accomplish this we will:

• Procure and preserve examples of Sandwich glass and materials in relation to the production, marketing and collecting of Sandwich glass and related Sandwich history.
• Document and stimulate scholarship in glassmaking and design in Sandwich and convey, to a wide and diverse public, the story of Sandwich and its glass through to the present day.
• Present an outstanding and memorable educational experience to the public through the Museum’s collections, exhibitions, educational programs, library, communications, products and publications.
• Interpret relevant aspects of life in Sandwich, both individual and institutional, with a focus on both historical and contemporary infrastructure of support for the manufacture of glass.

We will further:

• Manage, in every respect, the Museum in the highest professional and ethical manner.
• Fulfill the mission in concert with responsible financial practices, and
• Foster a productive and rewarding work environment.

The Sandwich Glass Museum is dedicated to making its collections and programs as accessible as possible to all diverse populations.

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The Sandwich Glass Museum continues to be relevant today as an institution honoring the history and artistry of Glass Art as produced by the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company in the 20th century, and also links that history to the development and practice of the craft and art of glass in contemporary society