The History of Cambridge Glass
Producing beautiful handmade American glassware
From 1901 to 1958, Cambridge Glass produced some of the world’s most beautiful glassware. With its distinctive colors, intricate cuttings, elegant designs, detailed etchings, and artistic decorations, Cambridge Glass remains a cherished part of American history and culture.
The Cambridge Glass Company
Decades of elegant glassware production
From 1902 to 1958 The Cambridge Glass Company (CGC) produced beautiful handmade American glassware. CGC produced glass items to be used in the home, glass items to be used by professionals and tradespeople in their jobs, and beautifully cut, colored and decorated art pieces to be enjoyed for their sheer beauty.
CGC’s employed thousands of workers in the Cambridge Ohio area making it a local economic powerhouse. Providing a good wage and standard of living for the local population was a core value of CGC’s management. It was one of the most fully integrated manufacturing plants in the United States when it was built, showcasing American manufacturing efficiency. CGC marketed, sold, and distributed its glass products worldwide showing their broad appeal and popularity. However, CGC eventually succumbed to automation and cheaper foreign labor, but left a lasting influence on American culture and history.
1873 – A Slow Start
The Cambridge Glass Company was chartered in 1873 by a group of businessmen out of Cambridge, Ohio. However, it took until 1899 for the newly formed parent company National Glass Company to secure funding and finally begin construction on the new glass factory that would produce Cambridge’s iconic glassware.
1902 – The First Cambridge Glass
During the factory’s construction, England native Arthur J. Bennett was hired as Cambridge Glass Company’s manager. An experienced china and glass trade professional, Bennett proved to be an excellent choice for the role. The first piece of Cambridge Glassware — a three-pint pitcher — came out of the factory in May 1902.
1907 – A Life-Saving Investment
By 1907, the National Glass Company was facing financial difficulties. Determined to keep Cambridge Glass afloat, Bennett leveraged his life savings to raise the $500K needed to purchase the company outright. Under Bennett’s leadership, the company thrived — even operating its own coal mines to supply the 50 tons of coal needed each day to produce raw gas for the factory’s furnaces.
1920 – Picking Up Steam
The ’20s saw a period of significant growth, with Bennett introducing a variety of opaque colored glassware and expanded production. With a workforce of up to 700 employees operating in three shifts, Cambridge Glass produced popular lines of colored glassware and complete dinnerware sets from 56 active glass pots.
1930 – Creativity & Innovation
The ’30s marked one of Cambridge Glass’s most prolific eras, with the introduction of new colors such as Carmen, Royal Blue, Crown Tuscan, and Heatherbloom — plus innovative patterns like the #3400, Caprice, and Statuesque Stem lines, as well as the Rose Point etching.
1939 – Leadership Change
At the peak of the company’s popularity, Bennett served as President of Cambridge Glass, alongside Vice President (and son-in-law) Wilver L. Orme, Secretary William C. McCartney, Treasurer G. Roy Boyd, and Factory Superintendent K.C Kelley. In July 1939, Bennett sold a controlling interest in Cambridge Glass to Orme, who continued to develop new designs and colors.
1954-58 – The Final Years
In 1954, Orme made the difficult decision to close the plant, marking the end of one of the world’s most prosperous glass companies. The factory briefly reopened in March 1955, retaining the original workforce but operating under new ownership and the leadership of President Mary Martha Mitchell, former secretary for both Bennett and Orme. The Cambridge Glass Company permanently closed its doors in 1958.
