{"id":665,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:48:37","latitude":40.373605150000003050081431865692138671875,"longitude":-85.21206200000000308136804960668087005615234375,"title":"Carnival Glass","subtitle":"","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/42f71b9615ecc04986923b7e363dd953.jpg","address":"Dunkirk Glass Museum, 309 S Franklin St, Dunkirk, IN 47336","all_locations":[],"zoom":8,"creator":["Stefanie Foster","Summer Whelan"],"description":"The glass manufacturing capitol of the United States, Dunkirk, Indiana, contributed to the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial with the production of patriotic memorabilia. Dunkirk’s Indiana Glass Company produced stylish and affordable carnival glass, which is highly collectible today. For the Bicentennial, patriotic images including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and bald eagles were imprinted into the pressed glass. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nDuring the 1880s, a number of gas wells were established in East Central Indiana after the discovery of a large reserve of natural gas in the region. This Indiana gas boom had a major impact on industry, including growth in glass production. One of the companies to benefit was Indiana Glass, which produced pressed glass décor. Differing from cut glass with its sharp edges, pressed glass was known for having flattened and rounded features. Carnival glass, a type of pressed glass, has a finish that makes it look similar to prestigious companies like Tiffany’s. Indiana Glass was one of only a few manufacturers of these products. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nThroughout the twentieth century, the company was one of the largest glass makers in the world. They were renowned for their glassware, especially Depression glass, which was known for being a low cost option for Americans between 1929 and 1939. During World War II, Indiana Glass switched to the production of “war materials, particularly lenses and specialized windshield glass for airplanes and ships.” After WWII, they reverted to the peacetime production of home products and added in home parties to compete with other manufacturers. Indiana Glass ceased operations in 2002 due to rising costs and overseas manufacturing. Although the company is now defunct, Indiana’s rich history of glass production continues to be celebrated with the Indiana Glass Trail and the Glass Museum of Dunkirk.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":["<a href=\"http://www.dunkirk.lib.in.us/the-glass-museum.php%C2%A0\">Dunkirk Glass Museum.</a>","<a href=\"https://www.carnivalglassworldwide.com/indiana-glass-company.html\">Carnival Glass Worldwide.</a>","<a href=\"https://sha.org/bottle/pdffiles/HartGlass.pdf\">Hart Glass Manufacturing Co.</a>"],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/42f71b9615ecc04986923b7e363dd953.jpg":{"id":3520,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Carnival Glass Bowl","description":"While not from the Indiana Glass company, here is an example of carnival glass. See the beautiful iridescent hues? | <a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carnival_glass_Kookaburra_bowl-3.jpg\">Wikimedia Commons </a> | August 8, 2023 | Tangerineduel","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/42f71b9615ecc04986923b7e363dd953.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/bd4d50116d43a385245995a49b083fc0.jpg":{"id":3165,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Hart Glass Factory","description":"The Hart Glass Factory, one of the many other glass factories in Dunkirk, Indiana. | <a href=\"https://indianaalbum.pastperfectonline.com/photo/B7DC8D4F-B56E-448B-BFBC-967731108530\">Indiana Album</a> | circa 1910","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/bd4d50116d43a385245995a49b083fc0.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/0f8faf1572ec89247b04a60c6fef6983.jpg":{"id":3182,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"IN Glass Marker","description":"This plaque describes the Glass Capital of Indiana mural, which was painted to celebrate the city.  | <a href=\"https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=215080\">Historical Marker Database</a> | January 28, 2023 | Craig Doda","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/0f8faf1572ec89247b04a60c6fef6983.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/63844d3983cba2008d6697ec2ed57655.jpg":{"id":3241,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Front of Bottle","description":"Above the illustration printed in blue it reads &quot;United States Bicentennial / 1776/1976&quot; and below in red it reads &quot;Indiana - Our 19th State&quot;. The locations of the various factories are notated on the state, including Dunkirk, Indiana. While not carnival glass, this bottle is an example of how glass companies used the Bicentennial to create and sell products. | <a href=\"https://collection.indianamuseum.org/mwebcgi/mweb.exe?request=record;id=121827;type=101#gallery-1\">Indiana State Museum</a> | 1975 | Kerr Glass Mfg. Corp.","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/63844d3983cba2008d6697ec2ed57655.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/f3d3623c12c4158718534524d7778ecc.jpg":{"id":3242,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Back of Bottle","description":"The back of the bottle has Kerr canning jars illustrated along with a history of the Kerr Glass Mfg. Corp. | <a href=\"https://collection.indianamuseum.org/mwebcgi/mweb.exe?request=record;id=121827;type=101#gallery-2\">Indiana State Museum</a> | 1975 | Kerr Glass Mfg. Corp","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/f3d3623c12c4158718534524d7778ecc.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/8bf198053135b587006b76c0318b5e00.jpg":{"id":3521,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"Indiana Gas Wells","description":"Natural gas was discovered in East Central Indiana, contributing to a growth in industry.  | <a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_the_Indiana_natural_gas_field_with_Kokomo_circled_and_state_inset.png\">Wikimedia Commons</a> | January 1, 1895 | J. C Leach, W.S Blatchley, Department of Geology and Natural Resources of Indiana, TwoScarsUp, and Charles Edward","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/8bf198053135b587006b76c0318b5e00.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/ea13b53f34b5d22c7919042ebe115593.jpg":{"id":3559,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Glass Capital Mural","description":"This mural depicts images relating to Dunkirk, including a factory and glassware. To learn more about the mural, check out the Glass Capital of Indiana Marker.  | December 1, 2025 | Rebecca Shrum","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/ea13b53f34b5d22c7919042ebe115593.jpg"}}}