Handcrafted Glass Art Factory and Store

Whether you are a glass art enthusiast or traveling through New York on your way to another destination, a stop by the Gillinder Glass Factory is a must-do activity. Tours of the factory allow visitors to see glass craftsmen at work in one of the oldest glass companies in the United States. A tour of the factory ranges in cost from $3.50 to $4 and tours are available Monday through Friday. Group tours are welcome and there are discounted rates for groups of 20 or larger. Whether you are enjoying a leisure tour of the factory, or on a field trip with classmates, the glass making that goes on will amaze and delight you.

Gillinder Glass began when William T. Gillinder began glass working in the English Midlands as an eight year old boy. By the time he was 16 years old, folks in the glass industry considered him an expert in glass chemistry. As his experience and abilities blossomed, the English glass industry slowed, so he headed to America with his four children and his wife.

Having trouble finding employment in 1861 American, Gillinder founded his glass company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His three grandsons continued the legacy of his glassworks and took over the company in 1912. The company was moved to Port Jervis in New York, where they acquired a vacant glass factory that is now the current location of Gillinder. Operated by sixth generation glass artists, the factory continues to grow and thrive. More than 50% of the airport runway lights used in the country are produced by Gillinder. There are also numerous gift ideas featured on the website.

Throughout the year, Gillinder hosts special events including glassblowing tours and guest artist programs. The website list special event dates, so you can plan a trip around a visit to Gillinder. One of the major attractions at the factory besides the tours is the gift shop. Visitors can shop for handcrafted glass items seen made in the factor in the gift shop. Featuring items such as Peacock vases, flower pots, figurines, molded glass, lamps, seashells, and crackled vases, the shop is a perfect place to take home a gift for someone else or a souvenir of your visit for yourself. There is an extensive selection of items online which can be ordered and shipped. If you are unable to make up your mind, or you regret not making a purchase while at the factory, you can always buy it later online!

Port Jervis, New York is a bustling town where New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania meet. You can visit Fort Decker, The Erie Railroad Turntable, or Veterans Memorial Park at Orange Square. Port Jervis has a true small town feel that visitors adore. The city also features numerous parks, beaches, and a botanical preserve. The town is clean and inviting, and a stroll through the main square will offer plenty of photo opportunities for tourists and visitors.

If you love the art of glasswork, or you appreciate handcrafted art no matter the medium, a visit to the Gillinder Glass Factory in Port Jervis, New York should be on your list of things to do when in New York.