Blenko Glass Company Guided Factory Tour
Guided Tours are a paid experience with a trained Tour Guide walking you through not only the history of Blenko Glass Company, but also our factory and production methods– from sand to hand.
Every guest will receive a special keepsake. These in-depth tours must be scheduled ahead of time.
As always, our Museum and Observation Deck are free and self-guided.
When our factory was imagined over 100 years ago, they did not leave room to make our entire campus wheelchair or walker accessible. Again, unfortunately, our museum, tour, and observation areas are not wheelchair or walker accessible.
Those participating in guided tours can expect to experience lots of walking and exposure to the heat produced by our 2,000+ degree furnaces– please be sure that this is something you and everyone in your party are comfortable with and able to safely participate in. We are a functioning production facility and are happy and excited to provide guided “behind the scenes” tours of this art form, but it is vital to keep in mind that these offerings are exclusive and special in nature.
Our Visitor Center Gift Shop provides ample parking with handicap designations, a ramp at the entrance, and room for mobility aids to be used while shopping. However, our Museum and Observation Deck are accessed via a flight of stairs.
Tour participants must follow all rules and directions of the tour guide. Failure to comply will result in immediate removal from campus.
Masks are required to participate in tours at the request of our artisans, as well as to protect guests and visitors from potential airborne irritants. Those who do not wish to follow this guideline will not be allowed to participate. We request that you bring your own mask, though masks are available on campus for those who do not or cannot (while supplies last).
Tour participants must be at least 14 years old to be on the factory floor.
Sturdy, closed-toe shoes and eye protection are required to be on the factory floor. Blenko will provide eye protection for use on campus. Flowing fabric like dresses or maxi skirts may exclude you from participating in a guided tour. Loose fabric is a safety hazard in manufacturing environments.
Pursuant with WV Code 61-7-14, firearms are prohibited on campus.
All members of your group need to arrive together, anyone arriving after their group's tour departure from the Visitor Center will only be allowed on the next tour if space allows, therefore, it is best to reschedule for a later date. If you can no longer attend on your selected date, please use the link in your confirmation email to reschedule as soon as possible.
Tours must be canceled at least 48 hours in advance to be eligible for a full refund.
Due to current demand, tickets cannot be rescheduled less than 1 hour prior to the start of the tour. We appreciate your understanding!
**In rare instances, such as cases of extreme weather (including heat), we may cancel tours for the safety of all those involved. If this occurs, you will be issued a full refund and notified as early as possible.**
Thank you for continuing to be an amazing community and supporting handcrafted West Virginia goods!
If you are interested in booking an educational tour, or for your organization, please reach out to us directly at tours@blenko.com to explore your options.
My husband and I enjoyed the tour very much. I learned about glass blowing but the info about how Blenko started was very interesting. We were traveling back to the North East and made a small detour to Milton for the tour and was very happy we did. I have told others of the tour and hope if they’re in the area they will stop also. We were there when the garden sale was happening and of course we bought a few things to remember our tour there.
We drove out of our way to this West Virginia factory for a tour and were not disappointed! It is a great, in-depth tour of the history and making of Blenko Glass. The tour begins with an overview of the history of the company, supplemented by a chronological visual display. Tour participants are then guided through the entire factory, seeing glass blowers and factory workers in the process of making Blenko glass. Blenko's artisan glass pieces (vases, lamps, sun catchers, etc.) and housewares (tumblers, glasses, pitchers, etc.) are for sale in the factory store. Tour guides are Blenko employees so you are getting great information and insights. The factory also features a small museum of antique pieces and beautiful stained glass art.
Blenko Glass Company Guided Factory Tour
Blenko Glass Company Guided Factory Tour
This tour was one of the most amazing tours I have been on.