Happy Birthday Fenton Glass

By Andrew Rex
WMOA News, Marietta, OH

Fenton Glass marked it's 100th anniversary yesterday in Williamstown, hosting a celebration 100 years to the day from its inception.

Tom Fenton, Vice-President of Manufacturing, says in their business, relatively little has changed over the 100 years the company has been in operation. "We still make things which are of small quantities and very special, with unique materials and unique processes, Fenton says. "It's not the kind of thing that you can gear up and do 50,000 or 100,000 of. It's something we do just a few of. Therefore, we use the more hand-flexible, craft-oriented, and art-oriented methods."

Fenton adds that in this day and age, when so many jobs are moving overseas, Fenton Glass is something that is still uniquely American. "We feel like we are in the center of hand glass art here in West Virginia," Fenton explains. "The American nature of this is very solid. There are other jobs going overseas for other things, but not for this particular thing."

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin was in attendance for yesterday's celebration as well. He says things are changing, and people have confidence in the state. "We've changed the business climate," Manchin says. "We truly are open for business and we're creating better jobs. The best way to create a good job is to retain a good job. If people see us treating the people that have been here, especially Fenton Glass and all the committed and dedicated workers, making sure they can survive in this very, very competitive climate, and we can assist them by marketing or different assistance they may need, it's going to speak volumes. People say 'you take care of your own, and we may come to your state too.'"

Manchin read a proclamation declaring yesterday as "Fenton Art Glass Day" in the state of West Virginia. He says it's a rarity to see a business prosper for so long like Fenton has. "We have very few businesses in the country today that have this type of existence and longevity," Manchin says. "When you have one in your backyard that's world-renowned, we need to help get the word out more. This is an art in itself. There's few few of these types of plants in the world. It's something special."

Following the outdoor ceremonies, Governor Manchin went into the plant and helped take part in the Fenton experience by learning some glass making skills from Fenton's artists.