Saturday, December 30, 2006

— Time: 1:34:04 AM EST

By Connie Cartmell ccartmell@mariettatimes.com

Years ago it never occurred to Donna Pugh to purchase Fenton glass.

It’s a far different story today.

“I was born and raised in Marietta and my husband worked at Fenton in the 1950s,” Pugh, 67, of Ocala, Fla., said Friday at the Marietta Fenton gift store, the next to last day this store will be open. “I didn’t learn to appreciate Fenton until I was older and gone from the area.”

Today Pugh is a tourist in Marietta — just visiting.

“It’s beautiful,” she said of the art glass. “You just don’t see it much in Florida. I try to get some every time I come back.”

In early January 1907, Fenton Art Glass began producing glassware in Williamstown, and Tuesday celebrates 100 years of the family-owned business.

“Prior to that, the company purchased glass and painted it, but did not produce it,” said George Fenton, president.

Founded by brothers Frank L. and John Fenton in 1905 in Martins Ferry, the decision was ultimately made to build an independent glass operation and locate it in Williamstown.

The first piece of handmade Fenton Art Glass is believed to be a crystal cream pitcher, featuring a waterlily and cattail pattern, produced Jan. 2, 1907 at the new factory.

“We’ve been a significant employer here for those 100 years,” George Fenton said. “In addition, I believe we have become a major tourist draw for the area.”

USA Today named Fenton among the Top 10 factory tours in America. In any given year, 30 to 40,000 people take the glass-making tour. Thousands visit the gift shop in Williamstown, adjacent the factory.

“Most of our visitors on the factory tours are from out of town,” Fenton said. “We are seasonally driven, with most visitors here during the summer and fall months.”

In the week of Aug. 3-5, 2007, Fenton plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of production. There will be glassmaking demonstrations, custom decorating by Fenton artists, glassmaking school, special tours and family signing events.

The Marietta Fenton Gift Shop, 104 Front St., will close its doors permanently at 5 p.m. today and will not be part of this summer celebration. All merchandise will be relocated at the main gift shop in Williamstown.

The Marietta store opened two years ago on a trial basis, Fenton said, and was closed from January through May last year.

“We’ve done a lot of work here at the Williamstown location and would now like to focus our resources here,” Fenton said.

Elisabeth Jones, who works at the Front Street store, said it’s been popular with tourists searching for additions to special collections, but only in summer months.

“Collectors love the Fenton shoes, bells and fairy lights,” Jones said. “When the National Fenton Art Glass Collectors had their convention in Marietta last September, I was amazed how many people were here.”

Since working there, Jones has fallen in love with Fenton glass and even received a rosemilk double ball lamp as a wedding gift from her mother.

“It’s an heirloom,” she said. “Now I just have to keep it far away from our three cats.”