A Collector’s Guide to Millersburg Glass and Where to Find It in Millersburg Today

Millersburg, Ohio is known for rolling farmland, Amish craftsmanship, and quiet country roads, but for glass collectors it holds a different kind of shine. This small town was once home to one of the most short-lived yet influential glass companies in the country. Millersburg Glass produced some of the rarest and most striking pieces of Carnival glass ever made, and over a century later the hunt for those pieces still brings collectors to town.

Whether you are a seasoned collector or a curious traveler who enjoys local history, Millersburg offers opportunities to see, shop, and explore the legacy of this remarkable glass company.

This guide will walk you through the story of Millersburg Glass, why it is so collectible, and where you can experience it firsthand when visiting Millersburg today.

The Story Behind Millersburg Glass

Millersburg Glass Company was the vision of John Fenton, a member of the famed Fenton family, who broke away from Fenton Art Glass to start his own operation. In 1908 he chose Millersburg, Ohio as the site for a new factory. The location was peaceful, full of available land, and surrounded by a strong workforce community. It seemed like the perfect place to start fresh.

The company ran for only four years, which is one reason collectors feel such strong fascination with its output. A short life means limited numbers of surviving pieces. But rarity alone is not what sets Millersburg apart. The company produced Carnival glass with a bold style that had no real rival at the time.

Their designs were deep, dramatic, and heavily patterned. Colors ranged from brilliant marigold to amethyst, green, cobalt, and a prized shade of radium that glowed under light. These colors resulted from specialized techniques that pushed the limits of early twentieth century glassmaking.

Pieces like “Hobstar and Feather”, “People’s Vase”, “Blackberry Wreath”, and “Myriad” patterns became instant sensations. Collectors today still prize them for their symmetry, richness, and sheen. Even after the factory closed in 1912, its legend only grew. The short run created a sense of mystery. How could a company produce so much beauty in so little time? Why did it disappear so quickly?

The result is a story full of excitement and a body of work that captures the imagination more than a hundred years after the final pieces left the furnace.

420 W Jones St., Millersburg

If you love the history of glass, the fact that the old factory building survives can make a visit to Millersburg feel more real. You can physically walk where glassmakers once worked. But you should go with the right expectations: it is not a museum, not regularly maintained as a historic site, and likely not open to public tours.

For a curated, informative, and visually rich experience — including seeing dozens of documented pieces of glass — your best bet remains the  Millersburg Glass Museum. There the story of the company’s rise and fall is told, and the glass itself is displayed with respect and context.

Why Millersburg Glass Is So Collectible Today

Collectors often describe Millersburg pieces as some of the most desirable Carnival glass on the market. Several reasons explain this high demand.

1. Scarcity
   Since the company lasted only four years, the supply of surviving pieces is limited. Many patterns were produced in small batches, and some shapes were so fragile that only a handful exist today.
2. Distinctive Colors
   The company’s signature Radium finish elevates its Carnival glass to a special category. This finish was produced by firing the glass in a way that created a bright, mirror-like iridescence. When you see a Radium piece, it looks almost alive with color. Collectors know this glow at first sight.
3. Bold Patterns
   Millersburg artists preferred deep, defined impressions that captured light. They pushed the molds to their limits, which gave their bowls, vases, and plates a dramatic look that stands out from other makers of the same era.
4. Short, dramatic history
   Collectors enjoy a good story as much as a good piece of glass. The rise and fall of Millersburg Glass adds value because it helps each piece feel tied to a specific moment in time.
5. Millersburg’s role in Carnival glass culture
   Many collectors make pilgrimages to the town itself. This creates a steady interest in both historical and modern markets, which keeps Millersburg Glass in the spotlight.

Whether you collect for investment, personal enjoyment, or artistic appreciation, Millersburg pieces offer a blend of beauty and history that is hard to match.

Where You Can Find Millersburg Glass in Millersburg Today

You do not have to rely on luck or auctions to view these treasures. Millersburg offers several places where you can see and sometimes purchase original pieces.

1. The Millersburg Glass Museum

• The Millersburg Glass Museum is the only public collection in the world devoted entirely to glass produced by Millersburg Glass Company — the short-lived but highly collectible glass maker that operated from 1909 to 1912. Holmes County Historical Society

• Inside you will find hundreds (reports say around 400 pieces) of original glassware: Carnival glass and crystal pieces made by the company.

• The collection was originally assembled by a local glass enthusiast and collector, Chris Sieverdes. After gathering a significant number of rare pieces, he donated his collection to the local historical society so the public could enjoy and appreciate it. Millersburg Glass

• The museum does more than display eye-catching glass. It also tells the story of the Millersburg Glass Company — its founder (John Fenton), its workers, and the context in which those glass pieces were made. You’ll get a sense of the company’s history, why its pieces are rare, and how they came to be collectable.

Because of the limited lifespan of the company and the rarity of surviving pieces, this museum offers one of the very few — and perhaps the only — comprehensive public displays of Millersburg Glass worldwide.

SEASONAL HOURS: April 1 – October 31, 1pm-4pm Tuesday – Sunday

Closed Mondays and Federal Holidays.

During the Month of March, the Museum will only be open weekends, 1pm-4pm.

2. Local Antique Shops Around Millersburg

Millersburg and the surrounding areas are home to several antique stores that often feature Carnival glass. While not every shop will have Millersburg pieces, many carry them throughout the year, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Shops in downtown Millersburg and along nearby routes often rotate inventory, so every visit can feel like a treasure hunt. You may find a small marigold bowl one day and stumble upon a rare green plate on another. Prices vary depending on condition, rarity, and pattern, but local shops are known for fair and reasonable pricing.

3. Holmes County Flea Market (when in season)

Although vendors change regularly, this large market sometimes features glass dealers who bring Carnival pieces, including Millersburg. You will need patience to explore the rows of booths, but the search is part of the fun. On the right day you might walk away with a piece that you will talk about for years.

4. Regional Auctions and Estate Sales

Holmes County and surrounding areas occasionally host auctions where glass collectors gather. These events can attract competitive bidding, especially when Millersburg pieces appear, but the energy makes it exciting even if you do not purchase anything. If you plan ahead, you may be able to time your visit to catch one of these events.

Where You Can Purchase Millersburg Glass in Millersburg

If your goal is to take home a piece of Millersburg Glass, you have several options.

                                                                    Millersburg Glass & Collectibles

Located at 10 S. Clay St., Millersburg. This is probably the best location to find some pieces from Millersburg Glass Company, and other glass makers.

Here’s my purchase I made from this store. A Millersburg Glass Company flower vase.

Antique Stores in Downtown Millersburg
Downtown Millersburg has a cluster of antique shops that frequently carry local glass. Shops along Jackson Street and nearby side streets tend to change inventory often. Because much of the antique trade in this region supports local collectors and families, you may find pieces with known histories or items that have stayed within Holmes County for generations.

Amish Country Antique Malls
Large antique malls in the region, including those near Berlin and Walnut Creek, are only a short drive from Millersburg. Many booths include glass collectors who stock Millersburg Carnival glass throughout the year. These malls usually offer a wide price range, which helps whether you are buying your first piece or expanding a serious collection.

Specialty Glass Dealers
A handful of local dealers specialize in Carnival glass and often set up at shops or shows. If you visit during major festivals or tourist weekends, you may meet sellers who have been collecting Millersburg Glass for decades and can guide you through quality differences, patterns, and value.

Spend a Night (or Two) in Historic Downtown Millersburg

If you want to explore Millersburg Glass without spending your trip driving from place to place, Cross-Key Vacation Rentals, Suite on Jackson puts you in the heart of the action. We even have the Millersburg Glass book to give you more of an education on individual pieces. You’ll find on the desk.

This 2nd floor walk-up is located in downtown Millersburg, which allows you to walk to several shops and attractions.

Here is what makes the location ideal:

1. Walkable access to downtown shops
   Many antique stores are just steps away from Suite on Jackson. You can enjoy breakfast, wander through shops, and return to the suite to relax without getting back in the car.
2. Short drive to the Millersburg Glass Museum
   The museum is less than a 1/2 mile away. Its compact size means you can explore it in a single afternoon, then spend the rest of the day visiting shops or restaurants nearby. Note seasonal operating hours.
3. Central location for Amish Country exploration
   If you want to branch out to Berlin, Walnut Creek, Mt Hope, or Charm, Suite on Jackson provides an easy launching point. Most destinations are 10-30 minutes from your door.
4. Ideal for collectors who want space to rest and reflect
   Suite on Jackson offers a quiet, comfortable environment to unwind after a day of browsing antique stores and markets. If you make a big purchase, you have a safe place to store it before heading home.
5. Perfect for couples or a BFF weekend
   The atmosphere Suite on Jackson makes it a warm, welcoming retreat for anyone who wants to enjoy Millersburg’s slower pace and explore its history at their own rhythm.

Check out our Experiences page on our website. The Victorian House Museum, next door to the Millersburg Glass Museum.

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Final Thoughts

Millersburg Glass is more than a collectible. It is a story of ambition, artistry, and a brief moment in industrial history that left a lasting mark. The fact that the company existed for only four years adds a sense of wonder. How did such a short-lived operation create a legacy that still draws travelers, historians, and collectors from around the country?

Visiting Millersburg brings that history to life. You can see the pieces where they were created, browse shops that carry them, and talk to locals who know their stories. Staying at Cross-Key Vacation Rentals, Suite on Jackson makes that experience even richer because you are close to everything that keeps the legacy alive.

Whether you arrive with a collector’s eye or simple curiosity, Millersburg’s glass heritage offers a rare look into a past shaped by color, craftsmanship, and imagination. And who knows, you may leave with a piece of that history in your hands.