Imperial Glass Collector’s Society named Tourism Champion of the Year
Belmont County Tourism Council named the Imperial Glass Collector’s Society its 2024 “Tourism Champion of the Year” with the annual Mattox Award on Monday. Executive Director Jackee Pugh hosted the council’s annual holiday celebration at Pike 40 with members of the society as honored guests.
Following a meal and some mingling, Pugh presented representatives of the society with the Mattox Award. In 2019, the Belmont County Tourism Council implemented the Mattox Award, named in honor of the late John S. Mattox. He was curator and co-founder of the Underground Railroad Museum, one of the Ohio Valley’s most renowned historians, a community leader, and an advocate. Dr. Mattox’s legacy and impact will forever be felt in Belmont County.
The Mattox Award is given annually to the Belmont County “Tourism Champion of the Year.” The award is designed to honor an individual or organization that has made significant and long-term contributions to the economic health of Belmont County through its involvement in tourism. Past recipients include Ann Rattine, schoolmarm of the Great Western Schoolhouse, Emery Stewart, past president of the Belmont County Historical Society and Victorian Mansion Museum, the Great Stone Viaduct Historical Education Society, and John S. Marshall from the Ohio National Road Association.
The Imperial Glass Company has been a pillar of Bellaire since it was founded in 1901, with production beginning in 1904. The handmade glassware, usually made of pressed glass patterns, was sold worldwide. Bellaire was once known as “Glass City” producing everything from delicate art glass to sturdy industrial ware. The glass factories brought jobs and prosperity to the community, shaping its identity and character for generations to come.
The Imperial Glass factory, located at 29th Street, was one of the largest glass factories under one roof. The company’s most famous product is the “Candlewick” series and even has a street named for it in Bellaire.
Following the factory’s closure, The National Imperial Glass Museum was established in the 1970s to study the history of Imperial Glass and the glassware manufactured there. It is dedicated to preserving the history of Imperial Glass, paying tribute to its former employees, educating the public, and providing research opportunities.
With Society members from all over the US, Imperial Glass continues to make an impact in Belmont County. Each year the society hosts a convention that brings people together who share their passion and love for glass. In 2023 the museum celebrated its 20th anniversary with a rededication that showcased its rich history, cultural heritage, and artistic craftmanship that Imperial represents.
The Society is made up of volunteers with a passion to preserve and study the heritage of the Imperial Glass Company and its impact in Belmont County and beyond. It is their unwavering dedication that accounts for these 20+ successful years, and the countless visitors and glass enthusiasts it has brought into Belmont County!
However, a museum is not merely a collection of artifacts. It is a living entity—a cultural heartbeat that thrives on the collective energy of the people who pass through its doors. It is a place where curiosity is ignited, knowledge is imparted, and importance is recognized.
It’s a testament to the Society’s dedication and ability to make the past relevant and exciting, ensuring that knowledge is passed on to the next generation. The collective efforts of this volunteer-run organization have made invaluable contributions that will leave a lasting impact on Belmont County and are the reason they are the “Tourism Champion of the Year”.
