Glassy Lady Antiques' Beverly Kennett, left, and Silvano Brugioni from Illinois selling their glassworks at Fostoria Glass Society of America’s 45th annual Glass show and sale.

MOUNDSVILLE – Glass collectors and vendors from around the United States flocked to the Ohio Valley this weekend, as the Fostoria Glass Society of America hosted its 45th annual Glass Show and Sale.

Fostoria Glass Society of America show chairman Chuck Hill said that the annual event, held at the Moundsville Center Building inside the former West Virginia Penitentiary, is always the second weekend of June.

“It’s a tourist attraction, and brings a lot of money into Moundsville and into the state,” Hill said. “We have dealers that come in and sell glass, we have speakers that put on presentations, we have an auction that is open to the public, a flea market, a food vendor in the kitchen that sells food. We also have a dealer’s luncheon on Thursday, and then a gift shop here where we sell glass and that sort of thing. We also offer books and a lot of information, plus membership to Fostoria Glass Society of America.”

Fostoria Glass Society of America member Cassie Clark said that all of the money paid from attendees joining the society goes directly towards supporting its museum located at 511 Tomlinson Ave.

“That’s what we’re all here trying to do is support that museum,” she said.

Clark added that Fostoria glass began in Fostoria, Ohio, and then moved to Moundsville because it needed a new supply of natural gas to fire its glass. It operated from 1887 to 1986. The old factory building in Moundsville has since been razed.

Clark said what keeps her coming back and helping organize the event as well as being a part of the society is the sense of community along with the beauty of the glasswork.

“It’s an addiction, I love it. I mean, it’s beautiful and is real community-based,” Clark said. “People love glass. People love to see it, talk about it, it’s a tight community so you see your friends every year, and it’s just a lot of fun.”

She added that nobody in the society is in it for the money.

“It’s a nonprofit, it’s not like it brings us money or anything, we just love to share it with the community,” Clark said.

She added that the goal is to raise funds to keep the museum in tip-top shape. Recently, an elevator was installed to allow visitors who have trouble navigating stairs to have an easier time reaching the second floor of the museum.

Hill added that the annual event and the museum helps keep a Moundsville tradition alive.

“We’re just trying to keep it open and keep everybody interested in it,” Hill said. “Local people that like glass come as well as people from Florida, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas and all over the eastern United States.”