Thursday, May 05, 2005

— Time: 9:03:14 AM EST

Manchin visits Fenton Art Glass for celebration

By JOLENE CRAIG

WILLIAMSTOWN - Gov. Joe Manchin was greeted Wednesday at the Fenton Art Glass Co. by Fenton family members, employees and state and local officials to mark the company's centennial anniversary.

The governor arrived at the festivities more than 30 minutes late, but that did not dim the joyous mood of the event for Tom Fenton, vice president of manufacturing.

"I know the governor has made a hallmark to recruit companies from other states into West Virginia and to keep companies in the state and Fenton Art Glass is proud to have him here," he said.

Fenton Art Glass is one of the few art glass manufacturers in the country and has been located in Williamstown since 1907.

"It is really something special for a business, this day-in-age, to still have family members working on it for more than 100 years," Manchin said.

"I speak truly of the virtue of this beautiful business, Fenton's, everywhere I go."

Manchin wished all at Fenton Art Glass a happy birthday for the business after proclaiming May 4 the official birthday of the company.

"I commend Fenton Art Glass for keeping the age-old art of glass making alive in this area while three generations, ranging from 89 to 50, work together to keep it a success," Manchin said.

While Fenton Art Glass did not move into West Virginia until 1907, the family considers May 5, 1905 the day it began. That is the day Frank L. and John Fenton deposited $284.86 into a savings account in Wheeling as their first commitment to the company.

Manchin said Fenton is not only good for the city of Williamstown, but also for the state because the company proves the staying power of West Virginia businesses.

"If a West Virginia business goes somewhere and their products are shipped around the world, the state is there, too," he said.

On Tuesday, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., congratulated the company, saying it had reached a tremendous milestone.

"Fenton has endured and prospered for so long because of their remarkable attention to the detail of the products," Rockefeller said.

" People from all over the world and from all walks of life know the craftsmanship and beauty of Fenton glass. Their work is beloved by casual buyers and art collectors alike.

"Fenton places the same care in their business acumen, and that's why I wouldn't be surprised if people aren't still buying Fenton glass 100 years from now."

To mark the occasion, Tom Fenton presented Manchin with two items for the state, to display in areas of prominence. The first item was the coffee table book of the top 100 items in the history of Fenton Art Glass and the second is a reproduction Chocolate Glass Water Set, first produced by Frank L. Fenton in 1907, and signed by the existing Fenton family members.

"This set will be displayed proudly at the Governor's Mansion," Manchin said.

The governor cut the birthday cake before being taken on a Fenton Art Glass experience tour, where he had the opportunity to help create a Threaded Hat Vase, with glass artisan Dave Fetty.

While Manchin did not have time to learn the art of glass decorating with designer Stacie Williams, she did present the governor with a vase to give his wife, Gayle.

Manchin had until midnight Wednesday to enact a 911 bill that would build cell phone towers in rural areas of the state. "I will do whatever we need to make the right decision for West Virginia," Manchin said.

Fenton Art Glass began as a glass decorating company before the Fenton brothers discovered the cost and other benefits of producing glass for themselves.

Today, Fenton Art Glass remains a family business, including management by members of the fourth generation, and 500 employees.

The company sells its products in approximately 4,500 retail shops worldwide and on QVC shopping network.

Fenton Art Glass will continue to celebrate the 100th anniversary with events throughout the year, including a five-day celebration at the factory beginning July 29.