Historic Jamestowne - Glasshouse Gift Shop (U.S. National Park Service)

Jamestown Glasshouse where modern artisans blow glassware much like glassblowers of 1608

Jamestown's Glasshouse where modern artisans blow glassware

The Glasshouse Gift Shop is a part of Historic Jamestowne's glassblowing facility. Visitors can watch as glass artisans make green glass wine bottles, similar to those found at Jamestown, and other items. These include vases, pitchers, candleholders, wine glasses and paper weights, just to name a few.

Gassblower forming the neck of a wine bottle

Glassblower forming the neck to a wine bottle

Today the glass furnaces are heated by natural gas, rather than by wood as in 1608, but modern glassblowers use tools and techniques similar to those used by the early glassblowers. However, 17th century glass manufacturing techniques do not prepare the glass for modern-day use. Microwave ovens, automatic dishwashers and hot liquids may cause our production glassware to crack, break and shatter. All of our glassware carries the following warning: DO NOT USE THIS GLASSWARE IN THE AUTOMATIC DISHWASHER OR MICROWAVE OVEN. IT IS NOT FOR USE WITH HOT LIQUIDS.

picture of various glass products of Jamestown's Glasshouse

Sample of glass products sold at Jamestown's Glasshouse

No full scale catalog of what is produced at the Glasshouse is offered. However, a short list of sufficient on-hand stock for potential offsite purchase is availble on-line at our Glasshouse Catalog. Please understand quantities are limited. Each piece of green glass was hand blown at Historic Jamestowne, Virginia, only a few yards from the site on which English Colonist first made glassware in 1608. Fragments of the original green glass have provided the key to proper color and composition, so that the glass has the same appearance today, as it did originally. Each piece is unique and one of a kind, as no two pieces are identical. There is a distinctive mark on the bottom of the glass which is called the pontil mark and is a sign of hand blown glass. All clear, colbolt and amethest glass is blown at an offsite production facility.

Section of Jamestown's Glasshouse gift shop

Display area in Jamestown's Glasshouse Gift Shop

You may purchase glass items produced in our glasshouse through on-site sales, regular mail, phone and email. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, except Christmas Day and New Years Day when Historic Jamestowne is closed. To place an order or make inquires contact: Jamestown Glasshouse, 1368 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown, Virginia 23081, Phone: (757) 229-2437, FAX: (757) 229-7531 or e-mail: gwynj@easternnational.org.