Immigration and the South Jersey Glass Tradition Symposium

Hosted Virtually on October 23 & 24, 2020

Explore South Jersey’s immigration patterns, the history of the glass industry in the region, and applications of traditional European techniques in today’s glass studios. We brought together scholars of different disciplines – folklorists, historians, glass historians, and artists – to develop future research project questions and new partnerships based on the discussions at the intersection of these fields and themes.

The conference sessions focused on a variety of topics, including: 

• An overview of historic European glass techniques and how they appear in contemporary glass studios with Mary Mills and Alexander Rosenberg.
• The immigration patterns broadly and specifically in glassworkers of the South Jersey/Philadelphia area with William Westerman and Brian Albright.
• Immigrant experiences, occupational traditions of South Jersey immigrants, and how immigrant traditions translated into American glass factories with David Steven Cohen and John Hawley.
• The impact of immigration on SJ glassmaking and the transition from backyard shops to glass art studios with Gay LeCleire Taylor and Don Friel.
• Glassmaking demonstrations with Skitch Manion. 

The wrap-up discussion with all speakers focused on the possible future research into the various themes and questions that have emerged during the individual panel discussions.

Friday, October 23 

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Session 1
Overview of historic European glass techniques and how they appear in contemporary glass studios. Presenters: Mary Cheek Mills, Historical Techniques in South Jersey Glass, and Alexander Rosenberg, Influence of European Glass Traditions in My Work as a Contemporary American Artist, with moderator Gay Taylor. 

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – WheatonArts Studio Experience
German Glass Making Techniques with Skitch Manion.

2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Session 2
Immigration patterns broadly and specifically in glassworkers of South Jersey/Philadelphia area. Presenters: William Westerman, Unexpected Routes: An Overview of South Jersey’s Unique Immigration Stories, and Brian Albright, Itinerant Glassworkers and the Glassmaking Industry of the Southern Delaware Valley: Philadelphia’s Kensington District and Franklin Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey; with moderator Dr. Rita Moonsammy.

Saturday, October 24 

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Session 3
Immigrant experiences, occupational traditions of SJ immigrants and how immigrant traditions translated into American glass factories. Presenters: David Steven Cohen, Blackberry Winter Redux: Emily Fogg Mead, the Dillingham Commission, and the Italians of South Jersey, and John Hawley, The Influence of Immigration on 19th Century American Glass Production: The Birth of the Glass Paperweight; with moderator Dr. William Westerman.

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – WheatonArts Studio Experience
Italian Glass Making Techniques with Skitch Manion.

2p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Session 4
Impact of immigration on SJ glass making and the transition from back yard shops to glass art studios. Presenters: Gay LeCleire Taylor, The Impact of Immigration on South Jersey Glassmaking, and Don Friel, My Journey into the Story of South Jersey Glass; with moderator Mary Cheek Mills.

3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Wrap-up Discussion (all presenters)
A conversation discussing possible future research into the various themes and questions that emerged during the previous panels, with moderators Dr. Iveta Pirgova and Kristin Qualls.

The “Immigration and the South Jersey Glass Tradition Symposium” is supported by a project grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State. 

Top image, left to right: 1. Pitcher made by John Ruhlander at Whitall Tatum Co. c. 1900. Gift of Frank H. Wheaton, Jr.; 2. Pitcher made by John Ruhlander at Whitall Tatum Co. 1901-1905. Gift of the Glass Research Society of New Jersey in memory of John Braniff; 3. Pitcher made by John Ruhlander at Whitall Tatum Co. 1901-1905. Gift of the Glass Research Society of New Jersey in memory of Blanche Jost. Photo by Al Weinerman.  WPA at Wheaton Glass Co hand pressing, c1936.   Charles Pepper at Whitall Tatum, c1948.   Wheaton Grinding Room, c1920.   Lily Pad Pitcher South Jersey early 19th c. Photo by Al Weinerman.