Degenhart Paperweight Museum (Gone)
Cambridge, Ohio
Degenhart Paperweight Museum pays tribute to the area glass industry and its collector's line of paperweights. Well-lit glass cases show off rows of alluring treasures. Mrs. Elizabeth Degenhart owned two factories and collected these "Globes of Beauty;" she was active from 1947 until her death in 1978.
Look for the tricky "Double Tree Style," the "Spike Flower" motif or the decorative glass gearshift knobs. Roosevelt's Asst. Secretary turned down a gift of gearshift knobs in 1933. One paperweight is inscribed:"Gerald R. Ford President of the United States, from Elizabeth Degenhart, 1st Lady of Glass." Apparently, the Degenharts regularly tried to send gifts to incumbents.
Large personalized "Paperweight Gravemarkers" took three workers to produce; the name of the deceased floated among decorative shapes in the solid glass globe. They never caught on, due to their high vandalism profile. The museum also includes historical glass patterns, swizzle sticks, and a certificate from the governor of Ohio that declared Oct. 2, 1975 as "Elizabeth Degenhart Glass Art Day." Remember?
