05/08/2026
Long post, easy to miss the dates…June 17-20, Newark, OH.
It goes without saying that one of the best reasons to participate in an HCA convention is to learn more about Heisey glass. This year’s convention has a great lineup of varied seminars, ranging from essential pieces for an elaborate formal dinner of the Edwardian era (1901 to 1910) to Heisey’s Mid-Century Modern styles.
The first is our Mystify the Masters glass identification session on Friday morning immediately following the Annual Membership Meeting at the museum, about 10:35 a.m. If you have a piece of glass you haven’t been able to identify, bring it to the meeting and ask our panel of glass masters if they can help. These identification sessions have been favorites at past conventions.
Then, over at the glass show venue, The Skylight, there will be three seminars on Friday afternoon, two on Saturday.
First up is “Through the Looking Glass of an Edwardian Dinner Party.” Lori Buss Stillman will provide insight into the elaborate dinner parties of the early 20th century when tables were laden with many pieces of glass seldom used today, but considered essential for a formal dinner at the time. We will learn the role of Heisey pieces such as finger bowls, various nappies, jellies, mayonnaise bowls, assorted stems, decanters, and more.
Tom Files will follow with a presentation of Heisey pieces more familiar to us when he discusses “Heisey’s Creams (and Sugars) of the Crop.” From his collection of approximately 300 creams and sugars, he will choose 20 of the most unusual examples to share.
Finishing out Friday afternoon will be Mary Olson on “Heisey’s Overlooked Jewels.” She and her husband Doug have made a point of collecting as many of these jewels as they have been able to find. What do they consider Heisey’s jewels? You will have to attend the session to find out. (If you already know, please keep it a secret!)
On Saturday, Eric Tankesley-Clarke will explore “Heisey’s Adventures into Bent Glass and Other Mid-Century Modern Styles.” With today’s popularity of Mid-Century Modern styles, this promises to be a fascinating session.
The final session will be a trip through the history of Heisey as found in the archives when Karen Taylo presents “Navigating the Online Archives.” The archives include a wealth of material – photos, brochures, advertisements, ledgers, patents, and more.
‼️Special Convention Activities registration reminder ‼️
Interest is strong for the three ticketed special activities of the convention so a lottery may be necessary if demand exceeds the number of tickets available for each activity:
- A tour of the Heisey factory
- Glassblowing demonstration at The Works
- An opportunity to try your hand at blowing a piece of glass at The Works
To be included in the lottery, you must register by noon on Friday, May 8. Winners will be notified no later than May 15 if they will be able to purchase a ticket.
Register by calling the museum at 740-345-2932, mailing the registration form found in Heisey News, or online at www.HeiseyMuseum.org (click on Museum Shop in the top menu bar to access the registration form)
