| In
the Beginning
In 1889 a group
of investors took the risk of founding a glass company - it became the
Westmoreland Glass Company of Grapeville, Pennsylvania and had a
successful history that spanned nearly 100 years. These intrepid
individuals did more than start a glass factory - they touched all our
lives by giving us the beautiful handmade glassware we collect and
cherish today.
Much of the history that has been
published about the Westmoreland Glass company may have been taken from
two letters. One letter was from the hand of A. J. Stevenson of the
Specialty Glass Company of Liverpool, Ohio. The other letter was written
by James H. Brainard, former president and owner of the Westmoreland
Glass Company.
Built in the rolling hills of
Pennsylvannia, there is speculation that the most probable reason for
Mr. Stevenson purchasing the land at Grapeville Station was the
abundance of natural gas on the property. Natural gas is a necessary
element in glass manufacturing. Close proximity to the Pennsylvania
railroad enabled him obtain raw materials easily, as well as to ship the
finished product. With ample shade trees to cool the grounds, and a
supply of pure spring water, the ideal spot had been found.
As an incentive to move employees and
their families to the site of the new plant at Grapeville Station, the
acreage was divided into 105 lots. Free gas would be furnished at no
cost for lighting and heating as long as the supply would last,
estimated to be 20 years.
As people began relocating to the area,
the construction of the plant got under way in October of 1889. The
first glass was produced in 1890.
A few years later, the plant was
purchased by two brothers, Charles H. and George West, from A. J.
Stevenson and the Specialty Glass Company. Financial support was
provided by Ira A. Brainard. Westmoreland Specialty Company changed
hands again when in 1920 tension between brothers arose and George West
sold his interest to Charles West and Ira Brainard. In 1923 the name was
changed to Westmoreland Glass Company. The great depression forced
Charles West to sell his interest to the Brainard family, who
reorganized the company with James J. Brainard as president. After his
death in 1953, his son James H. Brainard succeeded him, with his brother
Walter M. Brainard taking the position of vice president. In 1981
ownership was purchased by Dave Grossman. On May 21, 1984 the flame at
the Westmoreland Glass Company was finally extinguished. A lifespan of
nearly a few years short of a century had ended.
The following is a
letter by J. H. Brainard
Historical Sketch of Westmoreland Glass Company
A copy of the earliest record is herewith
enclosed, and it indicates that in the Spring of 1889 a group of men
operating the Specialty Glass Company in East Liverpool, Ohio, migrated
to Grapeville because of Gas being on the property where our plant is
now located. In October of 1889 construction of the plant started and
actual production occurred in early 1890.
My Grandfather, Ira A. Brainard, lived in Pittsburgh--about 25 miles
west of Grapeville, and had many interests and was instrumental in
financially helping two sons, with a widowed mother, participate in the
development of the factory here at Grapeville. The men from East
Liverpool sold out their interest in the very early 90's and the two
West brothers, backed by my grandfather's finances operated the plant
successfully until 1920. At that time, friction developed between the
West brothers, and one sold his interest to the other and my
grandfather.
In 1924, it was voted to change our name from Westmoreland Specialty
Company to WESTMORELAND GLASS COMPANY, as the former had become somewhat
of a misnomer because they began to get inquiries on many different
types of products, going so far as Flat Silverware for use in the
Railroad's Pullman Dining Cars. I believe that even a request was made
for Guns during World War I. By that time, people began to feel that we
manufactured most any item. Actually, glassware was the only real item
manufactured, although early in the l900's many condiments, such as
vinegar, mustard, baking powder, lemon flavor, etc. were processed here,
but it is difficult to say whether such things were supplied in the
containers for the purpose of selling the glassware or the condiment
involved.
During World War I many glass items contained candy and were distributed
by the News Stands and Dime stores throughout the country. Such
diversification was not profitable because, as mentioned above, glass
was the primary product of the Company. It was of high quality,
manufactured by hand from the Pot Furnaces. Milk Glass, such as our Hens
and other pieces illustrated in the current catalog, was probably the
outstanding material produced, although in the 1920's we did make some
high quality decorated ware and crystal. We still manufacture some
decorated ware in addition to Colored Crystal such as Amber, Blue,
Green, Pink and Brown. During the last thirty years, our manufacturing
has been 90% Milk Glass, and the quality today is undoubtedly superior
to that of years ago.
In the years following the Civil War, there were a number of Milk Glass
pro- ducers in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, and one of the
outstanding plants was the Atterbury Company. They made high quality
Milk Glass and our company came into it a year or so after they went out
of existence. So, in a sense, we carried on where they left off.
During the depression in the 30's, our Company like many plants, was
badly hurt, but we never stopped operations and re-organization took
place in 1937 after the West financial interest became worthless and
considerable investment was being risked by the Brainard interest. My
father, James J. Brainard, who joined the Company in 1920 as treasurer,
became President in 1937. I took over as treasurer after joining the
Company in 1933 following graduation from Yale University.
My father's death occurred in 1953, and I became President of the
Company shortly afterwards. My grandfather died in 1927.
J. H. Brainard, President
History of Marks
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