MILFORD, PA — Before America celebrates its 250th birthday in July, the Columns Museum will take a look back at what was being done to celebrate a measly 100 years in 1876. The exhibit will open officially on Wednesday, April 22, and remain through August. An opening reception on April 22 at 1 p.m. 

The Pike County Historical Society will feature an exhibit featuring several types of glass souvenirs, which were once created on site at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876 by local glass manufacturer Gillinder Glass. 

The exhibit will also feature an original Centennial Bell, the official flag of the centennial, and inventions and items first introduced when America was just a baby.

The American Centennial year of 1876 was a turning point for the Gillinder Glass Company’s operation. The company was founded in 1861 and continues to make specialized glass today at its factory in Port Jervis. 

Philadelphia was chosen as the site for the country’s centennial exhibition to showcase the United States’ recovery from the devastating Civil War. Just how the glass company decided to build an exhibition glass factory on the fairgrounds is unclear. But, with confidence, the Gillinder brothers paid the $3,000 concession fee and constructed a 96-by-109-foot building with a 36-by-36-foot annex, which cost $15,000.

The glasshouse was an instant success and became one of the most popular attractions at the fair. The main section of the factory was devoted to a large stack, which held six glass melting pots.  Demonstrations of free-blowing, blowing in molds and pressing were given each day.  An area of the building was set aside for demonstrating the cold working process of acid etching, copper well engraving and stone cutting. Another portion of the exhibit was limited to sales.  All manner of glass souvenirs from the factory were offered for purchase.  Souvenir sales figures came to $96,000, with more than $14,000 paid to the Centennial Board of Finance as a commission on the sales.

Along with an exhibit case filled with Gillinder goods there will be other items associated with the American Centennial, including an original LEB Manufacturing Centennial Bell created in 1876 for display at schools and churches in celebration of America’s 100th birthday.  Also on exhibit is an original, official U.S. flag made especially for the Philadelphia Expo—donated to the museum by our friend Jim Levell—and several items first introduced to the world at the expo, including the typewriter and  telephone.  Foods first introduced at the expo included Heinz ketchup and Hires root beer. 

Join us at the opening reception on April 22—you don’t have to put ketchup on it (we endorse mustard on dogs).

The museum is located at 608 Broad St. 

Learn more at www.pikehistorical.org.