Glass Legacy

In the 1860s, French glassmaker Christian Dorflinger purchased 600 acres of spectacularly beautiful land in White Mills, Pennsylvania, to be used as the setting for an escape from the rigors of his glass factories in Brooklyn, New York. Shortly after relocating here, he constructed in the village of White Mills a glass factory where he was to design and produce some of the finest lead crystals in the country. Christian’s grandson, Frederick Suydam, and his wife took over the farmhouse and property. When Dorothy Suydam died in 1979, she will be stipulated the estate be used as a wildlife sanctuary in memory of her husband. The Suydam’s gift was augmented by the kindness of June Dorflinger Hardy, who generously relinquished her life interest in the buildings on the property. In 1980, the non-profit Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary was established, fulfilling the wishes of Dorothy Suydam.

In 1986, the trustees of the Sanctuary began a campaign to raise $150,000 to construct the museum on the grounds. On May 20, 1989, the Dorflinger Glass Museum opened to the public. The Dorflinger Glass Museum is recognized as having the nation’s largest display of Dorflinger glass. In 2006, the museum officially opened the Wayne County Glass Gallery. Wayne County had over 70 glass manufacturers and cutting and decorating shops, of which more than 30 are represented in the new gallery.

The museum must generate enough revenue each year to support its costs. Admissions and shop sales are the primary sources of funds for the museum. The museum could not operate on its own without the support of the Sanctuary. Funds are always needed for glass purchases, research, educational programming, and care for collections.

If you would like to make a donation, please send your check, payable to Dorflinger Glass Museum to:

Dorflinger Glass Museum
P.O. Box 356
White Mills, PA 18473

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