I would bet you have some glassware in your kitchen from Lancaster, Ohio. Anchor Hocking, located in Lancaster, is one of the largest glass manufacturers in the USA. In fact, three of America’s ten largest glass manufacturers are located in the Buckeye State. The Ohio Glass Museum in Lancaster has information about Ohio’s history in the industry, as well as an impressive collection of gorgeous glassware!

This was one of my favorite display cases at the museum! The designs and prismatic colors were beautiful!

Why Visit the Ohio Glass Museum?

Truth be told, the Ohio Glass Museum far exceeded my expectations! The docents were clearly proud of the museum, and I spent at least half an hour chatting with them about the museum and local glassware. Michael, the Immediate Past President of the non-profit that governs the museum, was a wealth of knowledge about it all, and it was a pleasure to chat with him!

The museum offers a 15-minute video about how glass became so important in Lancaster and Fairfield County. It has a lot of information and dates, and it’s a great way to get an overall view of the history before diving into the details.

Your ticket includes a glassmaking demonstration, which takes 20-45 minutes depending on how things go. I had never seen the process of glassblowing, so I really appreciated that visitors could see the process and gain a better appreciation for the art. If all goes well, the piece made during the demonstration will be available for sale. Of course, glass can be tricky and the piece may shatter, which I think only serves to demonstrate just what an art glassmaking can be.

But fear not, even if the piece during the demonstration isn’t able to be sold, the museum has a gift shop with other items made at the museum. I bought one of the glass tumblers. I love how thick and sturdy the glass feels!

The Ohio Glass Museum has multiple display cases to feature the rotating exhibits.

Classes at the Ohio Glass Museum

Like to try your hand at glassmaking? The museum offers a variety of fused and hot glass classes for reasonable prices ($25 to $125). Fused classes include suncatchers, pocket vases, and nightlights, while hot classes include blown glass tumblers, floppy bowls, ornaments, and paperweights. Check out their website for the available classes.

I haven’t joined one of the classes (yet), but the reviews online rave about how fun they are!

Ohio Glass Museum Hours and Tickets

The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4pm. Admission is only $6 for adults, $5 for seniors (55+), or $3 for students ages 6-18. The museum usually isn’t too busy, so you can buy tickets upon arrival.

Pro tip: If you’re from Fairfield County, Ohio and hold a local library card, you can check out a free admission ticket to the museum! Visit your local library branch for more details.

If you’re not too far from Lancaster, you may also consider a membership. There are a variety of levels to choose from, but all include unlimited museum admissions, discounts for classes and certain gift store items, and more. It’s a great way to support local and to see the different exhibits throughout the year!

Parking downtown is free, just keep an eye out because some spots are limited to two hours. The museum is wheelchair accessible, and there are a few free parking spots available behind the museum.

A glassblowing demonstration is included in your ticket fee.

 For More Glass Fun in Lancaster…

Right across Main Street from the museum is Gay Fad studios, which designs and creates mid-century style bar and glassware in Ohio. They have some fantastic designs! (Seriously, if I had room in my kitchen, it would be stocked with their glassware!)

They also have an interesting history. Fran Taylor opened Gay Fad Studios in Lancaster in 1939, and had an incredibly successful career designing barware until the store closed in 1962. After visiting the Ohio Glass Museum in 2016 and seeing some barware from Gay Fad, owners David and Jason Annecy embarked on a journey to revive the studios and designs. This was, of course, with the blessing of Fran Taylor’s family.

Since reviving Gay Fad, the Annecys have also introduced the nation’s first midcentury barware show, Bottoms Up. In 2024, this event drew 21 national vendors and over 20,000 visitors from 39 states. The 2025 event was even larger, though I don’t have numbers to share.

If midcentury barware interests you, save the date for Bottoms Up June 18-21, 2026!

Lancaster has its own ball for New Year’s Eve, featuring glass ornaments made by visitors. (Although Lancaster raises the ball rather than drops it.) You can create your own ornament to add to the ball or to take home.

Also in Downtown Lancaster

Downtown Lancaster is a charming slice of Americana with its brick buildings and town square.

If you’re interested in history, check out the Sherman House, where Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman was born and raised. Nearby is The Georgian House, home to the McCrackens, family friends of the Shermans, and now a museum of period pieces from the 1800s, as well as information on other nuggets of Ohio history. If you’d like more information on these two houses, you can read my blog article here.

There are also some cute shops! Some favorites include Robin’s Nest, Old Shoe Antique Mall, Keller Market, and Sparkle & Rust.

Arrive hungry, because there are a lot of good restaurants in the area! Bob’s Backyard BBQ, Triple P’s, and Provisions are all local favorites, but there are several other restaurants for your cravings, too. L-City Coffee sits near the town square and Square 7 Coffee House sits on Main Street just a few doors down from the glass museum. If you’re up for a beer after your tours, Double Edge Brewing is really good!

For more information to plan your trip to Fairfield County, including restaurants, shops, events, and more, check out Visit Fairfield County.

Final Thoughts on the Ohio Glass Museum

I really enjoyed my visit to the museum! Honestly, I was really impressed with the knowledgeable staff and the huge exhibit space! You could easily spend a couple of hours here if you wanted to read all of the information. If not, still plan to spend an hour between the historical video, the demonstration, and a quick perusal of the exhibit. And with no shortage of activities, shops, and eateries downtown, it’s a good addition to your Lancaster, Ohio day trip.

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