The new director of the Mount Pleasant Glass Museum has some big plans for the Westmoreland County museum.
“We’re turning up the volume,” said Amy Philips-Haller, the new director of the museum, which opened in 2013 in the former Lenox Crystal Plant on Route 31 in Mt. Pleasant Township.
In the two months since her arrival, the museum has opened a public research library area containing archival material, updated the permanent exhibits, increased the number of temporary exhibits and expanded the gift shop.
Ms. Philips-Haler, 47, of Scott, succeeded Cassandra Vivian, who had been director since the museum opened in 2013.
“I have some large shoes to fill here,” Ms. Philips-Haler said of Ms. Vivian’s contributions. “I look at it more as an opportunity to expand.”
Ms. Philips-Haller’s position is part time, as is her staff of three, and they work with with five “really consistent volunteers,” she said. She also is a freelance writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
An exhibit committee has been formed with plans to include more local participation, including displays by glass clubs. The museum has a Facebook page and is “just starting to push our social media,” Ms. Philips-Haller said. ”Launching a website is a priority.”
The museum scheduled an open house last night to introduce the staff and new exhibits to the community.
Two exhibits will celebrate the 120th anniversary of the opening of the Bryce Bros. glass factory in Mt. Pleasant.
A reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday for the first exhibit. Harley Trice, a Bryce descendant and collector, will speak at the free, public event. “The Early Years, Pittsburgh & Hammondville (1850-1882, 1885-1896)” will include Bryce pressed glass, primarily from Mr. Trice’s collection. The exhibit will continue through July 30.
The second exhibit, “The Glory Years, Mount Pleasant (1896-1965),” will open in September. The museum welcomes loans of glass made by Bryce during that period for the exhibit.
Other current exhibits focus on glass from the annual Mount Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival; upcycled glass, or finding a new purpose for vintage glass; and Eva Striker Zeisel, a Hungarian immigrant who designed the Bryce “Silhouette Collection.”
The museum, which is at 402 E. Main St., Suite 600, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated and memberships are available. The museum is currently supported by grants and private donations. For information: 724-547-5929.
M. Thomas: mthomas@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1925.
First Published: June 17, 2016, 4:00 a.m.
