by Henry J. Loftus Jr.
When Christian Dorflinger built his factory near Hawley in 1862, he had already established his reputation for excellence in glassmaking. The new White Mills site, adjacent to the Delaware & Hudson Canal, offered all of the elements needed to operate a large, modern glass factory—a steady supply of coal to fuel the factory’s furnaces, the raw materials needed to make the fine lead crystal glass, an eager work force for the skilled factory jobs, and the means to deliver the finished goods to market. Christian Dorflinger was eventually joined in the business by his sons, and the factory continued to operate for nearly 60 years, producing some of most extraordinary and beautiful art glass in America.
Today the Dorflinger Factory Museum houses the nation’s largest collection of American Brilliant-Cut Dorflinger Glass. Mr. Loftus will discuss one of the highlights of the Dorflinger glass collection, the personal family collection bequeathed to the museum by June Dorflinger Hardy, Christian Dorflinger’s great-granddaughter. As part of his presentation, he will share photos and stories from June Dorflinger Hardy’s collection of glass and family memorabilia.
Henry Loftus received his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Scranton. He is currently the Curator of the Dorflinger Glass Museum and Program Coordinator of the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary in White Mills, Pennsylvania. Copies of The Glass Industry in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, 1807 to Present by Walter B. Barbe and Kurt Reed will be offered at a discounted price for this event.
This is the third in a series of six Local History Seminars. It is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will follow the talk. Registration is requested by contacting Bernadine Lennon at 570-857-0882 or [email protected]
This program is sponsored by our Business Partner, The French Manor.
