Jamestown Glasshouse

The historic Jamestown Glasshouse marks the first attempt at manufacturing in the New World. Today, modern glassblowers—dressed in period attire—continue the tradition, crafting objects in a reconstructed, interpretive facility located next to the original site.

The American Colonies’ initial foray into manufacturing started with the Virginia Company of London, a joint-stock company chartered by England’s King James I in 1606. Since the company controlled all the land and resources in each new colony, they could take advantage of the New World’s wealth of natural materials—including wood used for fuel and ash, and sand (silica) to create glass—without bearing any of the costs.

Glassworking seemed like an entirely feasible endeavor. It was likely to make a profit and was more affordable than producing glass in Europe, where the craft was already well established. 

However, enlisting English glassblowers to start over again across the ocean was no easy feat. Instead, the London Company recruited a group of eight Germans (referred to at the time as “Dutchmen”) and Poles for their newest venture, which, along with glass, also included the manufacturing of pitch, tar, clapboard, and Frankincense. 

While the men were able to produce samples of glass to send back to England, the venture never evolved into a full-blown glass production facility—likely because the struggle for survival was already too difficult. In 1622, the Virginia Company tried again, this time employing experienced Italian glass workers, but the attempt also failed. 

As part of Jamestown’s ongoing archaeological work, the original glass furnaces were rediscovered in 1948, excavated, and are now on display for visitors. The recreated Jamestown Glasshouse, which opened in 2004, stands beside them, offering viewers an up-close look at glassmaking like it was done during colonial times. Period-dressed artisans utilize 17th century tools and methods to produce common glass objects of the day, including green bottles, candleholders, and vases, though there is one big difference: today’s glass furnaces are heated by natural gas instead of wood.