T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA National Imperial Glass Collector Society vice president Michele Victor, on left, and chairman Lori Poch are helping to preserve the history of Imperial Glass in Bellaire.

BELLAIRE – The Imperial Glass Collectors Society concluded its 50th annual Imperial Glass Convention on Sunday at the Imperial Glass Museum.

The convention kicked off on Thursday and went through Sunday with attendees from across the country flocking to Belmont County to socialize and view the historic pieces the museum and vendors alike had to display.

The itinerary saw an informal dinner at West Texas Steakhouse in St. Clairsville on Thursday, an ice cream social at Ebbert Farm Market on Friday and a Kentucky Derby themed party on Saturday at Ebbert Farm Market and Sunday concluding with “Glass Fest” on Sunday.

National Imperial Glass Collector Society vice president Michele Victor said that the convention making it to 50 years is a huge milestone and believes that this year’s events were able to not only showcase the glass pieces and the history but show the importance that the Imperial Glass Company played in the Bellaire community.

Victor said that the company operated from 1904 to 1984 and was the largest job provider in the community.

She added that the handmade glasswares are an art, not just a product and were sold worldwide.

“Once a year we get together and we have fellowship with all of the members of the society. Many of them travel from across the country to come in. This year, we had members from Arizona, upstate New York, Illinois, and Oklahoma, we’ve had all kinds of people who’ve come in,” Victor said. “When people come to the convention, they want to do a few things. They want to buy glass, they love to sell glass, and then they want to have a good time. We try to do all of those things and maybe teach them a little history at the same time.”

She added that this year’s convention saw many former members who haven’t attended a convention in 30 to 50 years.

“We were very fortunate to have many past presidents and past board members who were in attendance this year and were able to share with us what it was like when they were here 30, 40, or 50 years ago,” Victor said.

Chairman Lori Poch added the society is celebrating its 50th anniversary oexisting but the museum has only been established for 21 years.

She said that the museum is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours are also by appointment by calling 740-671-3971.

“We also welcome groups, so if there’s a group that wants to come in they’re more than welcome,” Poch said. “Colerain Senior Center brought a group of people down to tour, so we’ll do things like that. We’ve also had Corvette Society that came in, so we have had different groups come in. Sometimes we have bus tour buses come and schedule tours.”

Administrator Rosalie Wenckoski said that Victor and Poch are the driving force behind the convention being a success.

“Everybody else is getting older, but I’m really tickled that so many people attended the convention this year,” Wenckoski said. “For us, it’s just about keeping the memory alive, and that’s about it.”

She added that the convention and the museum were created to preserve and archive the important role that Imperial Glass Company played within not only the village but the entire Ohio Valley.

“We’re here to preserve the memories of their hard work and their talent, because I think a lot of people don’t understand, they just think that glass is really easy to make, but it’s an art,” Victor said. “You have to have the talent to make it. It’s not just pouring glass into a mold, you have to have a skill perfected.”