American made Depression Glass is glassware generally made in the period 1929–1939. It can be found in clear or colored translucent colors. Depression glass is so called because collectors generally associate this mass-produced glassware with the Great Depression in America.

Latest News ...

March 3, 2026: A New Year Season Begins!

We're open!!!
The museum has awakened after a brief winter nap which allowed us time to clean and organize the museum for the upcoming year. Stop by and see the updated displays.
It's also time to start making plans to attend this year's convention and show.
Note the change in date from previous years. It will be held June 6-7, 2026 in Lee's Summit, MO, the John Knox Pavillon. We have been at this location before. More information will be posted on our Convention page as details are available.

December 1, 2025: Fall Program: Stretch Glass

The museum hosted a presentation by Cal Hackeman on Stretch Glass. There are almost 200 pieces of the Bill Crowl Memorial Collection in the front windows. The afternoon sun really makes it shine. The collection will grace the windows until after the first of the year when they will be back to take it down. Just a reminder that we are closed in January and February.
Of course, in December you'll be using your red and green colored glassware. If you are still looking for gift items, check out the gift shop for items.
This is the time of year when we send out the Annual Fund information. This is your opportunity to renew your membership for the upcoming year. We especially need your assistance this year. Our costs continue to increase, including those of printing, postage, utilities, insurance and building maintenance.

Your support of the NDGA Annual Fund & Membership Drive is needed and very much appreciated.

November 10, 2025: Are you ready for fall?

Dust off your amber glass and let's get those tall orange-colored vases out. This is a perfect time to use your glass when entertaining in October and November.
Of course, in December you'll be using your red and green colored glassware.
The fall weather should be nice for traveling. Make a visit and check out the latest displays and offerings in the gift shop at the museum.
This is the time of year when we send out the Annual Fund information. This is your opportunity to renew your membership for the upcoming year. We especially need your assistance this year. Our costs continue to increase, including those of printing, postage, utilities, insurance and building maintenance.

June 1, 2025: Did you miss our Spring Tea?

The last weekend in April would have been an ideal time to visit your Museum. We were excited to host our 2nd Spring Tea. It was such a hit last year, that we make plans to do it again this year, on a larger scale.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn't cooperate. It was a rainy day and that kept a lot of our visitors away. Not only did we have tea, we had cookies decorated like cups and tea pots.
As we plan for next year, we would appreciate your donations of cups and saucers for this event. Call the museum if you have any questions.
We're ready for visitors, and encourage you to call before making a trip.

November 20, 2024: Thanksgiving Turkey

Thanksgiving will soon be here. It is a time for celebrating with friends and family, sharing a feast on delicious food. Stuffing (or dressing), mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and the ever-present apple and pumpkin pies fill tables decorated in fall colors. A big roasted turkey is synonymous with the yearly meal, often residing at the center of the dinner table.
As you decorate your table, you might include a glass turkey to hold the gravy, cranberries, other items. Several companies made glass turkeys. L.E. Smith seems to have made the most, from 1943 to 2005, in a variety of colors.

August 10, 2021: What's your story?

Many of us got our start collecting Depression Glass with items received from older family members. Sometimes those received items came with family history; how the family got them, where they got them, and what the items meant during the dark years following the Crash of 1929.
I want to hear those stories and use them to develop an NDGA celebration of the 100th anniversary of Depression Glass. Write me a letter; send me an email; or let me know a suitable time and I’ll call you. We can even do a face-to-face ZOOM meeting if you prefer.
I’m ready to listen.
Scott Pierce
Treasurer-atsign-ndga.net

March 10, 2021: Welcome to our Gift Shop.

There is always an exciting new look to the NDGA National Glass Museum Gift Shop with its constantly changing array of items for adding to your collection or for that special gift you’ve been searching for.
The gift shop is stocked with items that are specifically donated for sale in the gift shop, or donated items that duplicate pieces already in the museum collection. Between these two sources, we have an ever changing supply of new merchandise for you to select from.
In the cases and shelves of the gift shop you’ll find great pieces of Early American Pattern Glass, Elegant glass by some of the best American glass manufactures, kitchen glass, Mid Century glass from the 50’s, 60’s 70’s…..oh, and of course some great Adam to Windsor Depression Glass.

September 10, 2018: More Online Resources Available

ANNOUNCING!!!! Videos of seminars from convention are now available.
Dean Lowry has completed posting of videos from recent conventions, including this year. So, if you were unable to attend a recent convention, you can now view the seminars that were given. Our thanks to the presenters for allowing the recordings to be made, which helps us share information with everyone.
We have a YouTube channel available here. Take the time to view them, and give us your feedback.
Also, NDGA has a presence on eBay, the world's online marketplace; a place for buyers and sellers to come together and buy or sell almost anything. Make sure you save this link to our eBay store so you can easily check out what we have available.

https://www.ebay.com/usr/ndgaclub

November 1, 2016: Latest Addition to Museum

Some of you have been to the Museum but not recently, others have yet to visit! Please consider coming by to see our latest acquisitions.
It is with great pleasure and excitement that we will soon have displayed, a wonderful part of the glass industry. We were given a glass mold with plunger for a Fostoria Colony #2412 1/2 two part relish dish. This is wonderful alone, but we also got a punty stick and rest, a blow pipe, and three tools to work glass. This will go along with a goblet mold the museum already has displayed. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had that two part relish to show how it fit into the mold? I'm on a quest to find that Colony two part relish to display along side the actual mold so that people can see show it works. A picture is worth a thousand words. If you have the piece, and would be willing to donate it to go along with the mold, please contact Pam Meyer.

November 1, 2013: We're on TV!

We've all seen the ads to support Public Broadcasting. Now, here's a really good reason.
During the July 2013 Convention, television station KTWU located in Topeka Kansas, spent some time videotaping at the Convention and Museum. The result was broadcast as the October 10, 2013 program of Sunflower Journeys. It is a 27 minute program with two other stories. Our story begins 10 minutes into the program and lasts for 8 minutes. Make sure you are using supported software to view the program.

Many thanks to Pam Meyer and others for making this happen. Let us know what you thought of the program.

October 1, 2013: One year later
We did it.
It was only a year ago a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the Grand Opening of the NDGA National Glass Museum located at 117 S Washington Ave. in Wellington KS.

This past year has seen the Museum grow from an empty building to one that houses a collection of glass from the 1800's to the 1970's, representing a large number of the companies that were in existence during those times. It also has a working reference library for the public to use in their research of glassware. The museum is staffed by volunteers, who are always willing to help answer questions.

The museum will help in serving the two main goals of the organization, education and preservation of all American made glassware with an emphasis on the Depression Era.

NDGA is a 501(c)(3) organization with the museum opened to the public at no charge. The museum is supported by donations and proceeds from the gift shop where you may purchase glass items, along with t-shirts, tote bags and post cards. A donation jar is also available to anyone wishing to help support the museum.

The Museum is opened Thursday, Friday and Saturday between the hours of 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., with additional hours available by appointment. Please call 620-326-6400 or 316-524-1553 for those arrangements.

During the 2013 NDGA Convention, Leegh Wyse (NDGA Historian) worked with groups of students to help them appreciate the history of glass. She developed materials and gave several "Children's tour" of the museum during convention.
The children then went on to making rock candy, which just like glass, needs the correct ingredients fired at the correct temperature to create a product. Yuum!

September 1, 2013: Involving the next generation....

One of the highlights of 2013 NDGA Convention was the participation by guest author Barbara Mauzy. She presented a session titled "Passing on the Passion" on Saturday and repeated on Sunday. Barbara also wrote a book "Child of the Great Depression" (ISBN #0985967870).

Are you a depression glass collector? Have you had trouble getting your children or grandchildren to appreciate depression glass and its significance in American history. Well here is the perfect resource for the young reader. Written and illustrated by well known glass author Barbara Mauzy, this book will help young new collectors to appreciate the significance of depression glass; what was the Great Depression, why did it happen, how does the glassware relate to the times, etc... That and much more is included in this great new book designed specifically for the young collector. Your purchase of this book helps to support The National Depression Glass Association and The National Glass Museum.

Remember, the holidays are coming. Contact Pam Meyer to order your copy, and perhaps a second one as a gift.