Exploring the History of a West Virginia Glass Giant

I received one of my absolute favorite gifts this past Christmas season: a pearly pink pen holder that was made by West Virginia’s own Fenton Art Glass Company. As a journalist, I love personalized gifts that incorporate my love of writing in any way. As a glass enthusiast and collector, I love when glass pieces are also practical, and it proves what I always say: glass is meant to be used.

This gift of glass inspired me to go to Williamstown to visit one of the Mountain State’s most well-known glass institutions: Fenton. While the original factory may be closed and the company is no longer producing glass on the scale it once was, new pieces of Fenton are produced by nearby Mosser Glass in Ohio using the original Fenton moulds. Once the glass is made, it’s returned to the Fenton Gift Shop, where a handful of talented designers create the beautiful hand painted look that has become Fenton’s signature. If you’re lucky, you can watch an artist at work hand painting pieces while visiting the gift shop. 

When the Fenton factory closed in 2011 after more than a century in business, it took some time before the gift shop was able to liquidate its inventory before moving to a downsized location in 2017. They’ll celebrate six years at their current location in Williamstown, West Virginia in July this year.

I know I write a lot about Moon and Star patterned glass, but it was actually a Fenton piece that was the first in my collection. A green Rose-patterned footed compote, I found it at an estate sale a few years ago. That same day, I went to a local antique store and found my first Moon and Star piece. Even though I got them on the same day and my collection (and obsession) was born at the same time, Fenton was first, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. 

All Fenton is stunning, and I’m sure if you ask any collector, they’ll have a preference for a certain color or pattern they collect. Mine happens to be the Rose pattern, otherwise referred to as Cabbage Rose, but some collectors are adamant that it’s simply called Rose. Whatever its proper name, these distinctive pieces have roses emerging from the glass itself, with spindly ‘vines’ circulating around the flowers. This pattern was first introduced in 1964. 

I’m certainly still learning, but I have a huge appreciation and appetite to learn all I can, especially now with a helpful Fenton reference book I picked up at the gift shop the other day. 

Established in 1905 by the Fenton family, the Fenton Art Glass Company started out by painting glass made by other producers before opening its own factory in West Virginia in 1906, to begin producing their own pieces. Did you know it was Fenton that first produced carnival glass–that mesmerizing iridescent blend of colors that’s now a signature in almost any glass collector’s home–in the early 1900s? Through the years, Fenton has produced thousands of pieces, many of which are iconic and highly sought after today.  

From the pinkish hues and gold fragments of Cranberry glass to wide-grinned Alley Cats to milk glass and Hobnail, arguably their most successful pattern, which was first introduced in 1939 and produced in a variety of colors through the years, Fenton is perhaps the most diverse of all the West Virginia glass makers. There are many collectors who only seek out Fenton lamps, or those who prefer the (not life-size) shoes; others still who are only interested in the hand-painted glass animals. Myself, I like the milk glass hobnail and aforementioned Rose pieces, with a penchant for the blue and white swirled slag glass. 

For a time, Fenton even produced some Moon and Star pieces made with the original moulds, which were then distributed by L.G. Wright, a West Virginia company. A mix of hand blown and mould produced glass, Fenton certainly has a pattern and color for everyone. 

Identifying Fenton is usually pretty easy. Starting in 1970, each piece was stamped with a Fenton maker’s mark, and many pieces also have a Fenton sticker. Older pieces may be a little harder to distinguish as Fenton, unless you know what to look for. Again, in some cases the patterns and unique colors are a dead giveaway, but imitations and other lookalikes exist. I’m afraid this is the case for many glass patterns, as competitors created very similar pieces that are often mistaken for the real deal (looking at you, Bulls Eye–often mistaken for Moon and Star).

Now that we know some history, what can we do to continue supporting Fenton, aside from buying vintage pieces at antique stores or estate sales? The answer is simple. We need to support the Fenton Gift Shop as much as possible; they have an impressive mix of old and new glass in their store for sale. If you can’t make it to the physical location, check them out online or on social media. Let’s support this staple of West Virginia industry and history, especially the talented designers who create magnificent hand painted Fenton pieces. Unfortunately, the original factory is closed, but Fenton could disappear entirely without our support. 

Blenko is such a staple of West Virginia glass, as they’re one of the last glass producers in the state. Rightfully so, they receive so much support and recognition, and I think it’s time Fenton does, too. 

Located at 2242 Williams Highway in Williamstown, the Fenton Gift Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and online 24/7 at fentonartglass.com. New, limited edition pieces and handcrafted jewelry are available, as well as vintage glass. Pre-orders for new glass are accepted as well. I encourage you to check out what’s new and upcoming. 

This is the third installment in a short series showcasing the history of glass in West Virginia.